&5.E.UAURIATC01 


BfRKELEY 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY     OF 
CALIFORNIA 


FOOD  AND  GAME  FISHES 


•or    >* 
«-s/>  ^— ' 


d    & 


AMERICAN  FOOD  AND 
GAME  FISHES.  A  POPULAR 

ACCOUNT  OF  ALL  THE  SPECIES 
FOUND  IN  AMERICA  NORTH  OF 
THE  EQUATOR,  WITH  KEYS  FOR 
READY  IDENTIFICATION,  LIFE  HIS- 
TORIES AND  METHODS  OF  CAPTURE 


BY 

DAVID   STARR  JORDAN,  PH.  D. 

President  of  Leland  Stanford  Junior  University 
AND 

BARTON   WARREN   EVERMANN,  PH.D. 

Ichthyologist  of  the  United  States  Fish  Commission 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  COLORED  PLATES  AND  TEXT 
DRAWINGS,  AND  WITH  PHOTOGRAPHS  FROM  LIFE  BY 
A.  RADCLYFFE  DUGMORE 


NEW  YORK 

DOUBLEDAY,  PAGE  &  COMPANY 
1908 


COPYRIGHT,  1902,  BY 
DOUBLED  AY,  PAGE  &*CO. 


BIOLOGY 
LIBRARY 


J7 

BIOLOGY 

LIBRARY 


PREFACE 


THIS  volume  upon  American  Food  and  Game  Fishes  is  one  of 
a  series  of  books  treating  of  the  natural  history  of  North  America 
in  its  varied  and  more  popular  aspects.  Its  scope  includes  all  the 
species  of  fishes  north  of  Panama  which  are  used  by  man  as  food 
or  which  are  sought  by  anglers  for  the  sport  which  their  capture 
affords. 

In  its  preparation  the  authors  have  made  free  use  of  their 
various  published  writings  upon  fishes,  especially  their  "  Fishes 
of  North  and  Middle  America."  They  have  also  made  equally  free 
use  of  the  vast  store  of  valuable  information  contained  in  the 
numerous  Reports  and  Bulletins  of  the  United  States  Fish  Com- 
mission, and  the  "Fisheries  and  Fishery  Industries  of  the  United 
States  "  by  the  late  Dr.  George  Brown  Goode  and  associates.  The 
reports  of  the  Fish  Commissions  of  the  different  States  and  Canada, 
as  well .  as  the  files  of  the  many  valuable  outing  magazines  have 
been  consulted. 

To  the  many  individuals  who  have  assisted  us  in  one  way  or 
another  we  wish  to  express  our  thanks  and  appreciation.  First  of 
all  we  are  indebted  to  the  Hon.  Geo.  M.  Bowers,  U.  S.  Commis- 
sioner of  Fish  and  Fisheries,  and  to  Dr.  H.  M.  Smith,  Mr.  W.  de  C. 
Ravenel,  Dr.  W.  C.  Kendall,  Mr.  E.  L.  Goldsborough,  and  Mr. 
C.  H.  Townsend,  of  the  Fish  Commission,  for  many  courtesies 
extended  and  assistance  given.  The  excellent  coloured  plates  in 
this  volume  are  from  the  splendid  paintings  by  C.  B.  Hudson  and 
A.  H.  Baldwin,  and  we  are  able  to  use  them  through  the  kind 
permission  of  Mr.  Bowers. 

To  Dr.  Richard  Rathbun,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution,  we  are  indebted  for  the  privilege  of  using  as  text  figures 
many  of  the  illustrations  from  Bulletin  47,  U.  S.  National  Museum. 

The  numerous  excellent  and  artistically  beautiful  photographs 
of  live  fishes  were  all  taken  by  Mr.  A.  Radclyffe  Dugmore,  who 
has,  with  infinite  patience  and  skill,  achieved  such  marvellous  results 
in  photographing  wild  animals.  These  photographs  were  taken  by 
Mr.  Dugmore  expressly  for  this  work  at  Key  West,  Lake  Maxin- 


kuckee,  and  at  the  Pan-American  Exposition;  and  it  Is  doubted  If 
such  excellence  had  ever  before  been  attained  in  this  line  of  live 
animal  photography. 

To  numerous  angling  and  sportsmen  friends  who  have  aided 
us  with  kindly  advice  and  counsel  we  are  duly  grateful. 

In  conclusion  we  may  say  that  our  aim  has  been  to  make  a 
book  which  will  prove  useful  and  entertaining  to  anglers;  to  com- 
mercial fishermen  and  dealers  in  fish  and  fishery  products;  to  teachers 
and  others  who  wish  to  inform  themselves  regarding  our  vast  array 
of  food  and  game  fishes;  and  to  the  multitude  of  intelligent  men 
and  women  who  have  an  interest  in  Nature  and  Nature  Study. 


DAVID  STARR  JORDAN 
BARTON  WARREN  EVERMANN 


April  the  tenth 

Nineteen  hundred  and  two 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS 

PACK 

Preface v 

Introduction xxiii 

How  to   Identify   a   Fish       .        .        .        .  -     .        .  xxix 

American   Bait   Minnows xxxv 

Fishing  with  the  Fly xliii 

Paddle-fishes   (Polyodontidce)       .- i 

Sturgeons  (Acipenseridce)           -„ 4 

Catfishes  (Siluridce)     .-••;•.        .        .        •        •        •  1 5 

Channel  Cats          .        .        \ 16 

Bullheads        ...        * -23 

Mud  Cats       .        .        .        .        •        .        •        •        •  31 

Stone  Cats 34 

Suckers  (Catostomidce)         .        .              •  . »'              .        .  36 

Buffalo  Fishes 3^ 

Carp   Suckers 41 

Gourd-seed  Sucker 44 

Mountain   Suckers          .      .  *        i      '  .';:     .        .        .  45 

Fine-scaled  Suckers         .        *        .        ;*!v      ...  46 

June    Sucker   of   Utah  Lake          .        *  ;     ...  54 

Lost  River  Sucker         .        .-        .        «        .        %'        .  57 

Razor-backed  Suckers     .        *«•'•'.        .        .  5^ 

Chub  Suckers        .•        .''       .        .              ,.»        •       •  5& 

Spotted  Sucker      .-        .        .        .        .        .        .        •  59 

Redhorse  and   Freshwater  Mullets        *  V     .        .        .  60 

Big-jawed  Sucker           .        •        •        .        •        •        •  64 

Hare-lip  Sucker      ...-»....  65 

Minnows  (Cyprinidce)          .......  67 

True  Eels  (Anguillidce) /6 

Common  Eel '  7^ 

Conger  Eels  (Leptocephalidce) 81 

Morays  CMurcenidce)            82 

Tarpons  (Elopidce) .84 

Tarpon •  85 

Bony-fish  or  Ten-pounder 86 

vii 


Table  of  Contents 

Lady-fishes  (Albulidce) P8°8 

Lady-fish   or    Bonefish           ....  88 

Mooneyes  (Hiodontidce)       ......  nO 

Milk-fishes  (Chanidce)          ....  94 

Herrings  (Clupeidce) * 

True   Herrings        .....  Q6 

True   Sardines 99 

Alewives                '.                         IOI 

Menhadens Io8 

Anchovies  (Engraulidce) II2 

Silvery  Anchovies *  j  j , 

California    Anchovy        ....  MI- 

Whitefish,  Salmon   and   Trout  (Salmonidce)        .        .  .           M6 

Whitefishes II7 

Lake  Herrings  and  Ciscoes !25 

Inconnu I42 

Pacific  Salmon I4, 

Salmon  and  Trout I5n 

Atlantic  Salmon          .        .        .        .        .        .  ^5, 

Sebago  Salmon            ....  j66 

Ouananiche         .......  170 

Trout  of  Western  America j  74 

Cutthroat  Trout  Series 175 

Steelhead  Trout  Series ,89 

Rainbow  Trout  Series I94 

Great  Lake  Trouts          ...        .        .        .        .  203 

Charrs 


Graylings  (Thymallidce)       ...        .        .        .  220 

Smelts  (Argentinidce)          .,.- 225 

Capelins 225 

Eulachons       »        «        f        .        .        .        .                .  227 

True   Smelts  , 

Surf  Smelts  * 

Blackfish  (Dalliidce) \ 

Pikes    (Esocidce) 

Banded  Pickerel  and  Other   Pickerel     .  .234 

Common   Pike  93/^ 

•                •  ^  "j\j 

Muskallunge 2,^ 

Needlefishes  (Belonidce) 24, 


Table  of  Contents 
PACK 

Half-beaks  (Hemiramphidce)  •        •  242 

Flying-fishes  (Exocxtidx)    .  •          243 

Saurels  (Scombresocidce)       .        .  •          24° 

Sand-rollers  (Percopsidce)     .  •          247 

Silversides  (Atherinidce)      .  ...          248 

Mullets  (Mugilidce)       .  -  25° 

True   Mullets          .  25J 

Dajaos    ...  ...  .256 

Barracuda    (Sphyrcenidtf)     .  ...  258 

Threadfishes   (Polynemidce) 

Sand  Launces  (Ammodytida) 

Squirrel-fishes  ( '  Holocentridx )      .  .264 

Surmullets  (Mullidce) 

Goatfishes       .        . 
Mackerels  (Scombridce)         .  ... 

True  Mackerels       .        .  ... 

Frigate  Mackerels   .        .        .        i        .        .        .        •          27° 
Little  Tunnies        .        .        «        «        •        •        •        •          277 

Great  Tunnies        .        .        ... 

Albacores        .        .        .        •        »        • 
Spanish  Mackerels          .        /       •        • 

Petos •*        v       • 

Escolars  ( Lepidopidce )  .        .        .        •*       • 

Cutlass-fishes   (Trichiuridce)        .'        .         .  •        •          29° 

Sail-fishes  (Istiophoridce) 29' 

Sword-fishes  (Xiphiidce)      ....  . 

Papagallos  (Nematistiidce)     .        .'       .        •        •        • 
Pampanos  (Carangidce)        .        .•  .'       *• 

Leather-jacks  ../.••  •          297 

Amber-fishes 299 

Mackerel-scads       .  ^°2 

Cavallas          ......•••          304 

Moon-fishes  3°9 

Silver  Moon-fishes 3 ' ! 

Casabes  . 312 

True  Pampanos 3 '3 

Bluefish    (Pomatomidce) 320 

Sergeant-fish  (Rachycentridce)      ...  .          323 

Dolphins  (Coryphcenidce)      .  324 

Mariposas   (Lampridce) 


Table  of  Contents 

Pomfrets  (Bramidce) .  **2™ 

Fiatolas  (Stromateidce)         . a2g 

Butter-fishes           .        .        .  • .     .        .        .        .  ,28 

Basses  (Centrarchidce)        * ,,2 

Crappie  and  Calico  Bass        . 33, 

Round  Sunfish       .                ,'       .        .  *             .        .  337 

Mud  Sunfish           .        .        .        .        .        .  ,,3 

Rock   Basses          .        ,v       .        .        .                .        .  2,3 

Sacramento    Perch         ....  „.-•..  ,        .        .  34! 

Warmouth  Bass 242 

True  Sunfishes      .        .        .        .        .        .        .  342 

Black   Basses          ....     !v       \.        .        .  355 

Perches  (Percidce)        .        . 360 

American  Pike-Perches           .        .        .     ''.""     .        .  360 

River   Perch 364 

Robalos  (Centropomidce)     .        .        .        .       *        .        .  368 

Sea  Basses  (Serranidce)        *        ...     ..;  .,''     .        .  3-70 

Striped   Bass           .....     " '"'. ':''     .        .  372 

White  Perches        . 376 

Jew-fishes 377 

Enjambres      .        .        ,:        .        .        .....        .  380 

Groupers "  .        .       ...  ^g, 

Sea  Bass         .        .        ^                     .        „        ...       .'  395 

Triple-tails  (Lobotidce)          .        .        .        .        -.        .        .  400 

Catalufas   ( Priacanthidce )     .        .        .     '  .        .        .        .  401 

Snappers  (Lutianidce)           ....        » ...     .        .  403 

True  Snappers  or  Pargos     .        .        ^        .        4,      tl.;  405 

Rabirubias .7  416 

Arnillo    .        .'      .        .        .        ...        .  :    ;»,       »,','  418 

Escolar  Chino .  419 

Grunts  (Hcemulidce) .-,     .        .  420 

Roncos  or  Grunts       ..        .        ...        .        .        .  421 

Tomtate          .        .         .        .        .        .        .        .        .  428 

Pompon          .        .        . 43! 

Burros    .        .        .  •      .        .        .        .        .        .        .  432 

Pigfishes                  .        . 433 

Porgies  (Sparidce)        . 436 

Scups      .   .   , 437 

True  Porgies       .   .   .   .   .   f    .  438 
Sheepsheads     .    .    .    .   .          ^441 


Table  of  Contents 
PAGE 

Mojarras   (Gerrtdce) .  445 

Rudder-fishes  ( '  Kyphosidce) 450 

Chopas 452 

Croakers  (Scicenidce)  454 

Weakfishes 455 

Red   Drum 461 

Lafayette 462 

True   Croakers       .  ' 463 

Kingfishes 464 

Sea   Drums 466 

Freshwater   Drum       ...  , 467 

Surf-fishes   (Embiotocidce) 469 

Cichlids  (Cichlidce)      .        »        . 475 

Wrasse-fishes   (Labridce)      .        . 476 

Tautog  .        .        *        * 477 

Hog-fish         .  .        ...        .        .        .  478 

Parrot-fishes  (Scaridce)         .        .'       ,        .        .        .        .  480 

Spade-fishes  (llarchidce)  .        .        .        .        .        .  482 

Butterfly-fishes   (Chcetodontidce)  .        .        .         .        .  484 

Blue  Angel-fish      .  485 

Tangs   (Teuthididce)  .......  486 

Ocean  Tang .        .  488 

Trunk-fishes  (Ostraciidce)  .        .        .  r       .        .        .  489 

Cow-fish        .        .        * 491 

Head-fishes   (Molidce)  .        .  -.        .        .        .  492 

Rock-fishes   (Scorpcenidce)  ».        .        .        .        .        .  495 

Rose-fish        ....        «        ....  496 

Skil-fishes   (Anoplopomidce)          •       ..«        •        ...        •  498 

Greenlings  ( Hexagrammidat)       .       .       ..       .  .  499 

Atka  Mackerel        ...        ...        .         ...  499 

Alaska   Green-fish .  501 

Cultus   Cod  502 

Tilefishes   (Latilidce) 504 

Hakes   (Merlucciidce)   ........  507 

Codfishes  (Gadidce) 508 

Pollacks 509 

Tomcods 511 

True  Codfishes 512 

Haddocks 516 

Freshwater  Ling 517 


Table  of  Contents 

Codlings  or   Hakes  .        .  ....  518 

Flounders   (Pleuronectidce)  .....  r2O 

Greenland   Halibut  .......  522 

Common   Halibut  .  ...  523 

Bastard    Halibuts 


Winter  Flounder  .  .....          528 

Arctic  Flounder  ........ 

Starry   Flounder  ........ 

Window  Pane 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

COLOR   PLATES   AND    HALF   TONES 

Eastern  Brook  Trout  (Salvelinus  fontinalis)      .        .        Frontispiece 


FACING  PAGB 


Lake  Sturgeon  (Acipenser  rubicundus) 10 

Short-nosed  Sturgeon  (Acipenser  brevirostris)          .        .  12 

Common   Bullhead   (Ameiurus    nebulosus)        ....  22 

Yellow  Cat  (Ameiurus  natalis)        .        .  22 

Channel    Cat    (Ictalurus   punctatus)         .        .  22 

Common  Redhorse  Sucker  (Moxostoma  aureolum)     ...  60 

Lake  Carp  Sucker  or  Quillback  (Carpiodes  thompsoni)       .        .  60 
Golden  Tench   (Tinea  tinea).     Introduced        .        .                 .68 

German   Carp   (Cyprinus  carpio).     Introduced          ...  68 

Common   Eel   (Anguilla    clrisypa) 76 

Common   Eel   (Anguilla   chrisypa)    ...        .  .78 

Tenpounder  (Elops  saurus)        .....                          .  86 

Bonefish   (Albula  vulpes)                  .        .  86 
Rock  Hind  or  Cabra  Mora  (Epinephelus  adscensionis)          .        .120 

Salmon  jumping  a  falls        .        .        .        .        .        .        *-,  >     •  152 

Atlantic  Salmon  (Salmo  salar)     .        .        ......  >  ;      .  164 

Landlocked  or  Sebago  Salmon  (Salmo  sebago)      .        .       ,.        ,  168 

Steelhead  Trout  (Salmo gairdneri)     .        .        .      •...-..  176 

Cut-throat  Trout  (Salmo  clarkii]        .        .        .      lt.        .        i  176 
Von  Behr  Trout  (Salmo  fario) .     Introduced        .        .        .        .-194 

Rainbow  Trout  (Salmo  irideus)         f.  .   .        .        .        .        .  194 

Lake  Trout  (Cristivomer  namaycush) 204 

Eastern  Brook  Trout  (Salvelinus  fontinalis}         ....  208 

Montana  Grayling  (Thymallus  montanus}         ....  222 

Golden  Trout  of  Sunapee  Lake  (Salvelinus  aureolus]        .        .  222 

Great  Barracuda  (Sphyrcena  barracuda) 258 

Bonito  (Sarda  sarda);   dead 266 

Squirrel-fish  (Holocentrus  ascensionis)        .  266 

King-fish  or  Cero  (Scomberomorus  cavalla);  dead      .         .        .  286 

Spanish  Mackerel  (Scomberomorus  maculatus);   dead        .         .  286 

Amber-fish  (Seriola  lalandi ) 304 

Yellow  Jack  (Carangus  bartholomcei) 304 


List  of  Color  Plates  and  Half  Tone  Illustrations 

FACING  PAGE 

Runner  (Carangus  crysos)         . 306 

Cavalla  {Carangus  hippos') 306 

Horse-eye  Jack  (Carangus  lalus) 306 

Moonfish  or  Look-down  (Selene  vomer) 310 

Moonfish  or  Look-down  (Selene  vomer) 312 

Oldwife  (Trachinotus  glaucus) 314 

Pompano  (  Trachinotus  carolinus) 316 

Common  Pompano,  Pompano  (Trachinotus  carolinus)       .        .  318 

Bluefish  (Pomatomus  saltatrix) 320 

Calico  Bass  (Pomoxis  spar  aides) 338 

Rock  Bass  (Ambloplites  rupestris) 338 

Warm outh  Bass  (Chcenobryttus  gulosus} 342 

Bluegill  Sunfish  (Lepomis  pallidus) 350 

Red-eared  Sunfish  (Eupomotis  heros) 350 

Small-mouth  Black  Bass  (Micropterus  dolomieu)        .        .        .352 
Small-mouth  Black  Bass  (Micropterus  dolomieu)        .        .        -354 

Large-mouth  Black  Bass  (Micropterus  salmoides)       .        .        .  358 

Yellow  Perch  (Perca  flavescens) 366 

White  Bass  (Roccus  chrysops) 372 

Sauger  (Sti^ostedion  canadense} 372 

Striped  Bass  or  Rockfish  (Roccus  lineatus)          ....  376 

Yellow  Bass  (Morone  interrupta) 376 

White  Perch  (Morone  americand)       .        .        .        .        .        .  380 

Cony  (Petrometopon  cruentatus) 380 

Rock  Hind  (Epinephelus  adscensionis) 382 

Nigger-fish  (Bodianus  fulvus) 382 

Nassau  Grouper  (Epinephelus  striatus) 384 

Red  Grouper  (Epinephelus  morio)       . ' 386 

Red  Hind  (Epinephelus  guttatus) 386 

Nassau  Grouper  or  Cherna  (Epinephelus  striatus)        .        .        .  388 

Yellow-fin  Grouper  (Mycteroperca  venenosa)     .        .        ...  390 

Jewfish  (Promicrops  itaiara)      . 392 

Black  Grouper  (Mycteroperca  bonaci) 392 

Yellow  Grouper  (Mycteroperca  olfax) 394 

Gag   (Mycteroperca  microlepis] 394 

Scamp  (Mycteroperca  phenax) 396 

Sea  Bass  ( Centropristes  striatus) 396 

Gray  Snapper  or  Pargo  Prieto  (Lutianus  griseus)        .        .        .  406 

Dog  Snapper  (Lutianus  jocu)      .'  u 408 


List  of  Color  Plates  and  Half  Tone  Illustrations 

FACING  PACK 

Schoolmaster  (Lutianus  apodus) 408 

Schoolmaster  (Lutianus  apodus) 410 

Mutton-fish  (Lutianus  analis) 412 

Lane  Snapper  (Lutianus  synagris) 412 

Mutton-fish  or  Pargo  (Lutianus  analis) 414 

Yellow-tail  (Ocyurus  chrysurus) 416 

Margate-fish   (Hcemulon   album) 422 

Sailors'  Choice  (Hcemulon  parra)        ......  422 

Margate-fish    (Hcemulon   album) 424 

White  or  Common  Grunt  (Hcemulon  plumieri)         .        .        .  426 

Yellow  Grunt  (Hcemulon  sciurus) 430 

Porkfish  (Anisotremus  virginicus)      .        .        .        .        .        ..  430 

Black  Margate-fish  or  Pompon  (Anisotremus  surinamensis)        . '  432 

Gray  Snapper  (Lutianus  griseus)        ......  432 

Scup  (Stenotomus  chrysops)        .        .        .        .        .        .        .  434 

Tom-tate   (Bathystoma  rimator)        .        .        .        .        .        .  4^4 

Saucer-eye  Porgy  (Calamus  calamus)                J               .        .  436 

Little-head  Porgy  (Calamus  pr or idens)       .....  436 

Jolt-head  Porgy  (Calamus  bajonado) 438 

Grass  Porgy  (Calamus  arctifrons)      .        .        .        .                .  440 

Little-head  Porgy  (Calamus  proridens)                                        ..  442 

Pinfish   (Lagodon  rhomboides) 442 

Sheepshead  (Archosargus  probatocephalus)       ....  444 

Little-mouth  Porgy  (Calamus  penna)          .        .        .        .        .  444 

Pinfish  (Lagodon  rhomboides) 446 

Broad  Shad  (Xystcema  cinereum) 446 

Bermuda  Chub  (Kyphosus  sectatrix)        ...        .        .        .  452 

Hogfish  (Lachnolaimus  maximus)      .        .        ....  452 

Croaker  (Micropogon  undulatus)       ' .        .        .        .        .        .  462 

Spot  (Leiostomus  xanthurus)      .        .        .        .     '  .        .        *  462 

Parrot-fish  (Scarus  cceruleus)      .        »       .        .        ,  .      .        .  480 

Spade-fish  (Chcetodipterus  faber)  ;  young           «...  482 

Black  Angel-fish  (Pomacanthus  arcuatus) ;  young     .        .        .  482 

Black  Angel-fish  (Pomacanthus  arcuatus)         .        .        .        .  484 

Yellow  or  Blue  Angel-fish  (Holacanthus  ciliaris);  adult    .        .  484 

Yellow  Angel-fish  (Holacanthus  ciliaris) ;  young        .        .        .  486 

Rock  Beauty  or  Palmoneta  (Holacanthus  tricolor)       .        .        .  488 

Cowfish  (Ostracion  tricornis) 492 

Pudding-wife  (Iridio  radiatus) 496 


XV 


LIST  OF  TEXT  ILLUSTRATIONS 

PACK 

Whitefish,  showing  parts  referred  to  in  descriptions  of  soft- 
rayed  fishes             .....                          •  xxx 
Small-mouth  Black  Bass,  showing  parts    referred   to  in  de- 
scriptions of  spiny-rayed  fishes xxxii 

Knot  for  attaching  leader  to   line  for  fly  fishing       .        .  xliv 

Overhand  Cast       .        '.       ' .         .         ..";'.         .         .  xlvi 

Flip  Cast       ........                 •  xlvi 

Wind  Cast    .        .        .        .        .        .        .  xlvii 

Underhand  Cast    .        .        .        .        .        .        .  xlvii 

Switch  Cast           .        .,       .                         .                         -  xlviii 

Clark's  Spey  Cast •  1 

Paddle-fish              ...                 .         .  i 
Common  Sturgeon        .... 

Lake  Sturgeon ..  10 

Short-nosed   Sturgeon            ....                  .  .,  12 

Shovel-nosed  Sturgeon          .        .        .                                 ,'•    .  !3 

Blue  Cat         .         .         .         .         .         .                        "••    ;  I? 

Channel  Cat          .        !*        .        .        .  2I 

Eel  Cat         '..>...                                   •  22 

Black  Bullhead      .        .        .        .        .                               -  r  3° 

Flathead  Cat          .....  31 

Mud  Cat        .        ..       .        .        .        .  32 

Stone  Cat      .        .        .        .        .        . ...    ...  34 

Common  Buffalo  Fish           .        .        .        .                         •  39 

Eastern  Carp  Sucker     .        .        .        .        .              ;*..',:  43 

Gourd-seed   Sucker        ......                           •  44 

Mountain  Sucker           .....  45 

Flannel-mouth   Sucker           .         .                 .                 ,•  ,3     •  47 

Platte  River  Sucker       .        .        •.        ,        .  .;                       •  4$ 

Sacramento  Sucker        ......  5° 

Common  Sucker            .        .        .        .        -        »        •         •  51 

Utah  Lake  Mullet          ".         .       :.         .  52 
Moogadee;    Sucker        .....                                    -53 

June  Sucker  of  Utah  Lake            .         .  54 

Klamath  Lake  Sucker 55 


List  of  Text  Illustrations 

PAGE 

Tswam;  Sucker         ' 56 

Razor-back  Sucker        . eg 

Chub  Sucker         .                                 59 

Spotted  Sucker 59 

Common  Redhorse 6O 

Hare-lip  Sucker  ^ 

«...  ou 

Hare-lip  Sucker,  showing  lower  lip             ....  66 

Squawfish               68 

Utah  Lake  Chub 7o 

Common  Chub «c 

Tarpon *  85 

Bony-fish;  Ten-pounder 86 

Bonefish gg 

Mooneye       ; o2 

Southern  Mooneye o^ 

Awa  or  Milk-fish 04 

Common  Herring 95 

Tailor  Herring IO2 

Alewife                 .        .        .        .        ;     ......  103 

Glut  Herring         .        .        .        .        .        .        .        .        .  IO4 

Common  Shad      .        .        .        .        .        ./      .        .        .  105 

Alabama  Shad Io8 

Menhaden      .                 .        ;        ,        .        ....'.  109 

Rocky  Mountain  Whitefish           .        .        ...  no 

Blackfin  Whitefish ,39 

Humpback  Salmon        .        .  ,      .        .        .        .        .        .  140 

Adult  male  Blueback  Salmon        .        .                 .        .        .  156 

Adult  female  Little  Redfish I57 

Adult  male   Little   Redfish,    showing  condition   at    end    of 

spawning  season     .        .        .   ' I5g 

Lake  Tahoe  Trout         .        .        ....  180 

Utah  Trout    .        .              '-* 182 

Rio  Grande  Trout 185 

Colorado  River  Trout 186 

Waha  Lake  Trout ^7 

Green-back  Trout !88 

Yellow-fin  Trout 188 

Steelhead  Trout             IQO 

Rainbow  Trout     ......                         .  195 

Great  Lake  Trout 203 


XVlll 


List  of  Text  Illustrations 


Brook  Trout          . 
Dolly  Varden  Trout 
Sunapee  Trout      . 
Oquassa  Trout       . 
Arctic  Grayling     . 
Michigan  Grayling 
Montana  Grayling          . 
Capelin  . 

Eulachon;  Candle-fish 
Pacific  Smelt          . 
American  Smelt    . 
Alaskan  Blackfish 
Common  Pike       . 
Muskallunge  .. 

Houndfish;  Agujon 
Common  Half-beak       . 
Sharp-nosed  Flying-fish 
California  Flying-fish 
Trout  Perch  . 

Pescado  bianco  de  Chalco 
Common  Mullet  .. 

White  Mullet  ,'  . 

Lisita;  Mullet 
Chsenomugil  proboscideus 
Dajao;  Mullet        .        .  ' 
Joturo;  Mullet       . 
Great  Barracuda    . 
Threadfish  . 

Common  Sand  Launce 

Marian;  Squirrel-fish      . 

Red  Goatfish  '. 

Mulloides  rathbuni 

Salmonete      .  . 

Common  Mackerel        . 

Chub  Mackerel      .. 

Frigate  Mackerel  . 

Little  Tunny          .. 

Long-fmned  Albacore 

Spanish  Mackerel 

Sierra;  Kingfish 


xix 


List  of  Text  Illustrations 

PACK 

Cutlass-fish            .                          290 

Sailfish 291 

Fez  de  Gallo          .                                  294 

Leather-jack           .         ...         .        .        .         .        .        .  298 

Pilot-fish        . 298 

California  Yeliowtail 500 

Rudder-fish 500 

Scad 302 

Xurel ^02 

Goggler 303 

Hemicaranx  amblyrhynchus 303 

Moonfish .  310 

Bumper ^I2 

Round  Pompano .        .  315 

Mazatlan  Pompano        .        .        .        .        .        .        ,        .  316 

Coal-fish        .        .        .        .        .        .                 /       .         .  ^23 

Dolphin         •        •        •        •        .        .        ...        .        .  324 

Harvest-fish            .        .        .               j  . '    "  .  '"     .        .        .  329 

Butter-fish s 330 

Crappie '.        .        .  334 

Round  Sunfish      ...        .        .        ...        .        .  337 

Mud  Sunfish 338 

Sacramento  Perch          .        .        .        .        .        ...        .  341 

Apomotis  symmetricus          .                 .        ,        ...        .  344 

Red-breasted  Bream      .        .        .        .      »  .        ...        .  346 

Long-eared  Sunfish        .        .        .        .        ^       .        .        .  347 

McKay's  Sunfish 351 

Common  Sunfish           ... 353 

Walleyed  Pike 361 

Sauger           .        .        .        .        .  s     .        .        .        .        .  363 

Yellow  Perch         .        .        .        .        *        .        .        .        .  365 

Snook            .        .        .        .        ....        .        .  369 

White  Bass 372 

Striped  Bass           .        .      - 37  ? 

Speckled  Hind 385 

Black  Jewfish 38" 

Guaseta          .                 388 

Dermatolepis  zanclus     .                                  ....  380) 

Mycteroperca  boulengeri        .        .                 ....  391 

Bacalao          .        .        ...        .                .        <>        .  393 


List  of  Text  Illustrations 
PAGB 

Hypoplectrus  unicolot            , ;-- r.;  39? 

Spotted  Cabrilla              .        .        .         .                 .      .  .  396 

Rock  Sea-bass       .........  39^ 

Squirrel-fish 399 

Flasher           .        ,        .        .        . 4<*> 

Pargo  Raisero        .        .••»-...- fi  4°4 

Lutianus  viridis 4°6 

Cagon  de  lo  ajto           .        . 41? 

Arnillo           .        .        .        .        *  \     ...  ;•      ....  4^ 

Escolar  Chino        .                 .        .        .        .        •        •        •  4'9 

Gray  Grunt .        .        •  423 

Lythrulon  opalescens 43° 

Pigfish 434 

Common  Scup .        .        •  437 

Chopa  Amarilla     .        .        .        .        .        •        ..  •      •        •  443 

Pinfish            .        .        .        .        .        .        •        •        •        •  444 

Irish   Pompano       .   ' 44$ 

Hermosilla  azurea 45 l 

Common  ^Weakfish        .       • 45^ 

Spotted  Weakfish .  458 

Bastard  Weakfish -.;  459 

Mademoiselle         . '•'- ,  4^o 

Red  Drum     .         .     .    j»  •     .        .        .         .         .  461 

Carolina  Whiting          .,        .        .        .        .        .        .       •••'• 

Black  Drum  ....'.. 

Freshwater  Drum          .        .        .        .        .        .        i  '    •-  468 

Hysterocarpus  traski      .        .        .        ,                 .        .        .  470 

Abeona  minima 47° 

Cymatogaster  aggregatus 47 l 

White  Surf-fish 472 

Rachocheilus   toxotes     .         .         ....         .         .         .  473 

Hypsurus  caryi      .        .        .        ....        .        .  473 

White  Viviparous  Perch       .        .                 .        .        »        ;  474 

Gunner          .        .        .        .        . " 477 

California  Redfish          .        ...        .        .        .        .        .  479 

Creston  Tang;  Barbero  Negro 4^7 

Ocean  Tang           .        .      "  .                 .        .        .     .    •.        •  4^8 

Rock  Shellfish,  Ostracion  triqueter      *        •        •                 •  49° 

Common  Trunkfish,  Ostracion  trigonus       ....  49° 

Common  Cowfish,  Ostracion  tricornis         .        .        .        .  49 l 


XXI 


List  of  Text  Illustrations 

PAGE 

Common  Trunkfish,  Ostracion  trigonus       .        .        .        .  491 

Sunfish;  Mola 493 

Ranzania  truncata          . 494 

Rosefish 496 

Black  Rockfish 49-7 

Coal-fish 498 

Atka  Mackerel 499 

Rock  Trout 501 

Alaska  Green-fish 501 

Common  Greenling 502 

Southern  Rock  Trout 502 

Cultus  Cod            503 

Pacific  Hake,  Merluccius  productus 507 

Common  Pollack 509 

Alaska  Pollack       . .        .  510 

Tomcod         . .  511 

California  Tomcod         ...  .  .512 

Common  Codfish .        .  513 

Haddock        .        ....        .        .        ...        .        .  516 

Freshwater  Ling            .        .        .        .                 .        .        .V  518 

Summer  Flounder 527 

Rusty  Dab 528 

Winter  Flounder            ."  .     .        .....        .        «        ,  ,  529 

Arctic   Flounder    .        .              •  .  ,     .                 .        •     v  *  530 

Eel-back  Flounder         .        .        .        .  .      .        .        .       .«  530 

Starry  Flounder 531 

Window  Pane       .        .        ,. w     .        .        .        .        .        .  532 

Bat-fish       "...        . ...    ". 532 


XX11 


INTRODUCTION 

'  Of  Recreation  there  is  none 
So  free  as  Fishing  is  alone; 
All  other  Pastimes  do  no  less 
Than  Mind  and  Body  both  possess; 
My  Hand  alone  my  Work  can  do, 
So  I  can  fish  and  study  too." 


THE  aim  of  this  book  is  to  furnish  that  which  well-informed 
men  and  women,  and  those  who  desire  to  become  well  informed, 
might  wish  to  know  of  the  food  and  game  fishes  which  inhabit 
American  waters.  Though  primarily  a  popular  treatise,  its  method 
is  in  part  technical,  for  the  characters  we  call  "technical"  are  the 
ones  we  can  trust  in  distinguishing  one  fish  or  group  of  fishes  from 
another.  These  distinctions  are  the  ones  established  by  Nature 
herself,  and  the  study  of  natural  objects  is  useful  to  us  in  the  degree 
that  we  are  willing  to  overlook  artificial  or  temporary  characters  in 
our  search  for  real  ones.  Thus  to  know  that  a  salmon  has  red  flesh 
and  a  pike  white  flesh  is  to  know  nothing  about  either  salmon  or 
pike.  The  real  differences  appear  on  comparison  of  the  fins,  the 
teeth,  the  skeleton,  and  the  facts  we  have  gained  as  to  the  origin 
of  the  different  forms.  The  use  of  technical  terms  therefore  finds 
its  justification  in  that  the  facts  they  set  forth  would  be  unintel- 
legible  without  them.  But  the  technical  terms  used  in  describing 
a  fish  are  no  more  difficult  to  understand  than  those  used  in  describ- 
ing anything  else. 

Head,  snout,  maxillary,  jaw,  fins,  and  the  like  are  quite  as 
simple  as  head,  nose,  arm  and  foot  used  in  naming  the  parts  of 
our  own  body;  or  petal,  stamen,  stem,  leaf  and  pistil  in  describing 
a  flower.  To  understand  or  to  be  able  to  study  any  subject  one 
must  necessarily  know  something  of  the  language  of  that  subject. 
A  book  which  does  not  take  for  granted  a  certain  amount  of 
intelligence  on  the  part  of  the  reader  has  no  excuse  for  being. 
This  book  presupposes  on  the  part  of  the  reader  a  knowledge 
of  ordinary  English,  as  used  by  Americans  of  fairly  good  education, 
and  a  willingness  to  make  an  honest  effort  to  find  out  more  about 
the  food  and  game  fishes  of  our  country. 

xxiii 


Introduction 

The  aim  has  been  to  make  a  book  by  the  aid  of  which  any 
one  of  average  intelligence  may  easily  and  readily  identify  any 
American  fish  that  is  used  as  food  or  game,  and  the  book  is 
technical  only  to  that  extent.  For  those  who  do  not  care  for  these 
facts  the  part  of  the  text  which  refers  to  them  has  been  printed 
in  smaller  type.  The  small  type  is  therefore  for  those  who  would 
study  fishes  with  specimens  in  hand ;  the  large  type  for  those  who 
would  read  about  fishes,  whether  the  fishes  themselves  are  present 
or  not. 

The  second  purpose  of  the  book  is  to  give  individuality  to  the 
different  kinds  of  fishes  treated,  by  some  account  of  their  geo- 
graphic distribution,  habits,  life  histories,  commercial  and  food 
value,  and  interest  to  the  angler. 

These  facts  and  discussions  are,  indeed,  those  which  are  given 
greatest  prominence  in  the  book. 

About  12,000  different  species  of  fishes  are  now  known,  besides 
a  vast  and  varied  assemblage  of  forms  now  extinct.  These  12,000 
species  are  arranged  in  about  200  groups  called  families. 
The  families  are  of  very  unequal  size,  some  containing  hundreds  of 
species,  others  but  few  or  even  only  one.  In  some  cases  the  group 
is  now  at  its  height,  more  forms  existing  than  ever  before.  In 
other  cases  one  poor  little  species  may  be  the  sole  survivor  of  a 
once  mighty  race. 

Of  the  species  of  fishes  which  are  known  about  one-fourth 
(3,300)  are  found  in  the  waters  of  North  America,  that  is  north  of 
the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  All  of  these  the  present  writers  have 
described  in  detail  in  a  book  of  four  volumes  and  3,313  pages, 
called  "The  Fishes  of  North  and  Middle  America,"  to  which  those 
who  wish  to  study  our  fishes  more  seriously  are  referred.  The 
present  volume  covers  the  same  geographic  area,  but  its  treatment 
is  limited  to  those  families  containing  fishes  useful  as  food  or  inter- 
esting to  the  angler  from  their  display  of  those  qualities  we  call 
"game."  Not  all  the  species  of  any  family  are  of  equal  value  as 
food  or  game;  indeed,  many  families,  containing  most  excellent 
food  and  game  species,  contain  others  of  no  value  whatever  for 
either  of  those  purposes.  Then  again,  some  species,  as  the  tarpon, 
possess  game  qualities  in  a  high  degree,  but  are  not  valued  as 
food.  We  have,  however,  usually  included  mention  at  least  of  all 
the  species  of  those  families  any  of  whose  members  are  game  or 
food  for  man;  and,  it  is  believed,  that  any  one  who  really  cares  to 


XXIV 


Introduction 

do  so,  can,  with  this  book,  accurately  identify  any  specimen  he 
may  obtain,  if  it  belongs  to  a  family  containing  any  American  food 
or  game-fish. 

We  have  left  out  the  vast  array  of  little  fishes,  too  small  to  be 
worth  eating — except  to  bigger  fish.  These  swarm  in  all  waters — 
minnows  and  darters  in  the  brooks,  silversides  and  killifishes  in 
the  estuaries,  anchovies  in  the  surf,  and  many  even  in  the  open 
sea,  the  prey  of  the  mackerel,  the  bluefish,  and  other  pelagic  pre- 
daceous  species.  We  have  left  out  or  briefly  mentioned  rare  fishes, 
those  which  occasionally  appear  on  our  coasts.  We  have  not  con- 
sidered the  many  strange  fishes  of  the  depths,  soft-bodied,  black  in 
colour,  and  often  provided  with  luminous  spots  which  serve  as  lan- 
terns in  the  watery  darkness.  These  would  be  food-fishes  if  we 
could  get  at  them,  and  game-fishes  likewise,  for  they  will  take  the 
hook  at  the  depth  of  half  a  mile,  with  ferocity  and  persistence. 
But  the  reader  of  this  book  will  seldom  angle  for  them,  and,  if  he 
does,  he  will  know  how  to  look  elsewhere  for  their  descriptions. 

Then,  too,  we  omit  the  groups  which  lie  below  the  true 
fishes — the  lampreys  without  limbs  or  jaws,  which  are  not  true 
fishes  themselves,  but  merely  fish-like  animals  that  live  by  sucking 
the  blood  of  real  fishes;  the  sharks  and  rays  or  skates,  with  large 
fins  and  often  with  large  teeth,  and  a  skeleton  of  cartilage.  It  is 
true  that  lampreys  are  much  eaten  in  Europe  and  sometimes  in 
America,  for  we  ourselves  have  eaten  canned  lamprey  on  the  Col- 
umbia River  and  found  it  excellent;  that  from  the  fin-rays  of  certain 
sharks  the  Chinaman  prepares  a  delicious  soup;  and  that  the  skate 
with  brown  butter,  raie  au  beurre  noir,  is  a  delicacy  of  the 
French  chef.  But  in  the  United  States  none  of  these  is  a  food-fish. 
Our  people  are  too  well  fed  to  care  for  the  coarse  rank  flesh  of 
sharks,  however  much  its  flavour  may  be  disguised  by  the  ingenious 
cook.  Other  coarse-grained  fishes,  such  as  the  sea  catfish,  we 
have  omitted  or  noticed  only  in  passing. 

There  are  certain  fishes  whose  flesh  contains  poisonous  alka- 
loids which,  in  the  tropics,  become  greatly  developed,  and,  when 
eaten,  producing  the  dangerous  disease  called  "Ciguatera."  These 
are  the  file-fishes,  trigger-fishes,  globe-fishes,  porcupine-fishes  and 
puffers.  In  Hawaii  one  of  these  species,  Tetraodon  gibbosus,  is 
known  as  Mdki  Mdki,  or  Deadly  De'ath,  its  flesh  being  poisonous 
in  the  highest  degree.  In  general,  however,  these  fishes  cease  to 


Introduction 

be  venomous  in  the  colder  waters  of  our  northern  coasts.  They 
are  by  no  means  food-fishes,  and  are  mentioned  here  only  that 
they  may  be  avoided. 

Setting  aside,  then,  all  these,  the  small,  the  lean,  the  coarse, 
the  poisonous,  the  rank,  the  rare,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  oceanic 
abysses,  we  still  have  left  a  royal  assemblage  of  food  and  game- 
fishes,  and  all  these  are  treated  in  the  present  volume.  Of  these, 
the  total  number  of  species  is  about  one  thousand,  fully  one-third 
of  all  the  food  and  game-fishes  of  the  world,  or  nearly  one-third 
of  all  the  fishes  of  whatever  kind  known  from  American  waters. 
A  few  which  may  be  called  unimportant  are  important  to  some- 
body and  are  therefore  included,  even  though  scarcely  mentioned 
in  any  other  work.  Thus  the  great  catfish  of  the  Rio  de  las  Balsas 
in  Mexico  (Istlarius  balsanus)  is  important  to  the  natives  of 
Morelos,  though  unknown  to  every  one  else.  On  the  other  hand, 
we  may  have  omitted  species  important  to  somebody  because  they 
do  not  concern  the  reader  and  have  never  interested  us.  The  line 
between  those  we  include  and  those  we  pass  unmentioned  is  often 
a  very  narrow  one  which  might  easily  be  shifted  either  way. 

This  book  is  a  treatise  on  a  branch  of  Ichthyology,  and 
Ichthyology  is  the  science  of  fishes.  The  word  "fish"  is  a  hard 
one  to  define  because  it  is  used  in  science  with  several  different 
grades  of  meaning.  Ordinarily  it  is  the  name  of  a  cold-blooded 
vertebrate  which  is  adapted  for  life  in  the  water,  and  has  its  limbs, 
if  present,  developed  as  fins,  never  as  fingers  or  toes.  This  is  the 
broadest  correct  definition.  It  excludes  the  whales,  porpoises  and 
seals,  which  are  warm-blooded  mammals,  looking  like  fishes  only 
because  they  lead  a  fish-like  life.  It  excludes  the  frogs  and  sal- 
amanders of  all  grades  because  even  those  which  have  gills  and 
live  in  the  water  have  fingers  and  toes  instead  of  fins.  But  for 
scientific  purposes  we  usually  adopt  a  narrower  definition.  We 
exclude  the  tunicates,  which  have  no  skull  and  lose  the  backbone 
in  the  course  of  development.  We  pass  by  the  lancelets,  fish-like 
certainly,  but  having  neither  brain  nor  skull.  The  higher  group  of 
lampreys  is  also  excluded  from  the  circle  of  fishes,  for  the  lamprey 
has  no  jaws,  no  limbs,  and  no  trace  of  the  bones  to  which  limbs 
should  be  hung.  This  would  leave  us,  then,  the  following  defin- 
ition of  a  fish:  A  "fish"  is  a  cold-blooded  vertebrate  adapted  for 
life  in  the  water;  breathing  by  means  of  gills  which  are  attached  to 
bony  or  cartilaginous  gill- arches;  having  the  skull  well-developed 


Introduction 

and  with  a  lower  jaw;  with  the  limbs  present  and  developed  as 
fins,  or  rarely  wanting  through  atrophy;  having  the  exoskeleton 
developed  as  scales  or  bony  plates  or  horny  appendages;  and  with 
the  median  line  of  the  body  with  one  or  more  fins  composed  of 
cartilaginous  rays  connected  by  membranes. 

But  a  still  narrower  definition  is  sometimes  necessary,  and 
we  may  separate  from  the  true  fishes  the  various  lower  types 
developed  before  the  formation  of  the  paired  fms  and  jaws  of  the 
fishes  of  to-day. 

The  sharks  are  not  true  fishes,  for  they  have  no  membrane- 
bones  or  gill-covers,  and  the  upper  jaw  is  simply  the  front  of  the 
palate,  no  upper  jaw-bones  being  developed. 

The  same  is  true  of  the  skates,  the  chimaera  and  the  lung- 
fishes.  The  lung-fish,  like  the  bichir  of  the  Nile,  another  fish- 
like  creature,  not  a  true  fish,  has,  instead  of  pectoral  fins,  long- 
jointed  appendages  with  a  fringe  of  rays  along  the  side.  From 
the  structure,  as  seen  in  the  bichir  (Polypterus  bichir),  it  is  not 
a  great  change  to  the  forked  limbs  of  the  frog,  and  it  is  from  air- 
breathing  amphibious  fishes  like  these  that  the  original  salaman- 
ders and  frogs  of  the  coal  measures  were  descended.  All  these 
forms,  as  well  as  the  mailed  and  helmeted  monsters  of  the 
Devonian,  are  fishes  in  the  broad  sense  of  the  term,  but  not  in 
the  narrow  one  of  "true  fishes."  A  true  fish  is  an  aquatic  ver- 
tebrate fitted  for  life  in  the  water,  breathing  by  means  of  gills, 
having  brain,  skull,  and  lower  jaw,  the  upper  jaw  formed  origin- 
ally of  at  least  two  pieces  (premaxillary  and  maxillary),  one  on 
each  side,  with  developed  limbs,  the  pectoral  and  ventral  fins  being 
composed  of  fin-rays  not  attached  to  an  elongate  jointed  axis. 

All  of  those  mentioned  in  this  book  are  true  fishes,  and  each 
one  can  verify  this  definition,  although  in  a  few  of  them  the  ex- 
ternal parts  or  fin-rays  of  pectoral  or  ventral  limb  are  lost  altogether. 

The  nomenclature  and  arrangement  of  species  in  this  work 
agree  essentially  with  that  adopted  by  the  present  writers 
in  their  "Fishes  of  North  and  Middle  America,"  with  such  changes 
and  modifications  as  more  recent  investigations  and  studies  seem 
to  require.  Perhaps  the  most  important  departure  from  that  work 
is  in  the  use  of  fewer  trinomial  names.  This  is  especially  to  be 
noted  among  the  Salmonidce.  Usually  the  Sebago  salmon  and  the 
ouananiche  have  been  regarded  as  subspecies  of  the  Atlantic 
salmon  and  have  been  given  trinomial  names — Salmo  salar  sebago 


XXVll 


Introduction 

and  Salmo  salar  ouananiche.  Various  subspecies  of  Salvelinus 
fontinalis  and  of  the  cut-throat,  steelhead  and  rainbow  trouts 
have  been  recognized.  These  forms  have,  in  most  cases,  perhaps, 
been  regarded  as  subspecies  chiefly  because  they  differed  but 
slightly  from  related  forms.  Whether  a  given  form  should  be 
regarded  as  a  "species"  or  a  "subspecies"  is  very  much  a  ques- 
tion of  material,  both  from  a  geographic  and  a  numerical  point 
of  view,  as  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway  has  well  said.  With  greater 
material,  and  from  properly  selected  localities,  many  forms,  which 
have  been  considered  specifically  distinct,  are  shown  to  be  con- 
specific;  and  forms  that  have  been  regarded  as  subspecies  are  in 
many  instances  found  to  be  good  species  or  to  have  no  existence 
at  all. 

The  existence  of  a  subspecies  implies  greater  or  less  geographic 
or  environmental  isolation  and  the  presence  of  intergrading  forms. 
However  great  the  differences  may  be  between  two  forms,  if  com- 
plete intergradation  is  known  to  exist,  the  one  is  regarded  as  a 
subspecies  of  the  other.  On  the  other  hand,  even  though  the  dif- 
ferences are  slight,  if  intergrading  is  not  known  to  exist,  they  are 
to  be  regarded  as  distinct  species. 

Of  the  various  forms  of  salmon  and  trout,  which  we  have 
formerly  regarded  as  subspecies,  but  few,  if  any,  are  known  to 
intergrade  with  related  forms.  Although  the  ouananiche  and  the 
Sebago  salmon  do  not  differ  greatly  from  the  Atlantic  salmon  or 
from  each  other,  intergradations  are  not  known.  We  therefore 
prefer  to  regard  them  as  three  distinct  species,  which  they  prob- 
ably are. 

The  same  is  true  with  respect  to  the  various  forms  of  trout 
in  the  West;  most  of  those  which  have  been  recognized  as  sub- 
species are  certainly  distinct  species,  while  others  are  of  very 
doubtful  validity.  Among  those  whose  status  is  problematical  are 
the  Kamloops,  Kern  River,  Shasta  and  Noshee  trouts.  They  may 
be  species,  subspecies  or  nothing.  Investigation  of  the  geographic 
distribution  of  the  various  trout  is  very  much  to  be  desired. 
While  it  is  not  likely  the  number  of  species  will  be  reduced,  their 
exact  relations  need  to  be  made  out. 


XXVlll 


HOW  TO  IDENTIFY  A  FISH 

IT  is  easy  to  know  a  fish,  or  even  a  true  fish;  but  a  more 
interesting  question  is:  What  kind  of  a  fish  is  it?  There  our 
difficulty  begins.  We  can  readily  say  that  a  certain  specimen  is 
a  fish,  or  even  that  it  is  a  bass,  a  perch,  a  herring,  or  a  trout; 
but  which  particular  species  of  the  several  kinds  of  bass,  perch, 
herring,  or  trout  is  it  ?  Just  what  species  of  fish  is  it  ?  This  is 
what  every  angler,  every  commercial  fisherman,  and  everyone 
interested  in  nature  wishes  to  know,  When  we  get  hold  of  a 
fish  our  first  desire  is  to  know  its  name, — -what  species  it  is.  The 
vague  knowledge  that  a  form  is  something  like  a  perch,  a  bass, 
or  an  eel  will  not  suffice.  The  works  devoted  wholly  to  sys- 
tematic ichthyology  are  in  the  nature  of  things  entirely  technical, 
and  they  are  not  easily  followed  by  the  untrained  student. 
Though  most  of  our  fishes  are  not  difficult  of  identification, 
many  of  them  are.  There  are  now  known  from  America  north  of 
the  Isthmus  of  Panama  more  than  3,300  species  of  fishes  and  fish- 
like  vertebrates.  Many  of  these  are  so  closely  related  and  the 
characters  separating  them  so  hard  to  make  out,  that  the  difficul- 
ties are  real  and  not  easily  to  be  overcome  except  by  one  trained 
in  the  methods  of  systematic  zoology.  But  fortunately  such 
is  not  the  case  with  the  vast  majority  of  fishes,  particularly  the 
food  and  game  species.  Most  of  these  are  fairly  easy  to  identify. 
A  little  time  devoted  to  an  examination  of  the  specimen  in  hand 
and  a  careful  reading  of  the  keys  will  enable  one  to  locate  it.  It 
has  been  the  aim  of  the  authors  of  fhe  present  work  to  make  a 
book  which  any  angler  or  intelligent  fisherman  can  use  easily  and 
with  satisfaction. 

In  the  first  place,  in  studying  a  fish,  there  are  some  things 
regarding  its  anatomy  which  one  must  know.  He  must  know 
the  names  of  the  fins,  the  parts  of  the  mouth  and  other  parts  of 
the  head  and  body;  also  something  about  the  different  kinds  of 
teeth  and  the  bones  upon  which  they  are  placed,  the  different 
kinds  of  scales  and  their  arrangement,  and  how  to  contrast  one 
character  with  another. 


XXIX 


fe 
o 

o  o    j« 

H    H      '1 

.->      i.  rS 


II 

S'H 


XXX 


How   to    Identify   a    Fish 

He  must  in  some  cases  examine  the  stomach,  air-bladder, 
pyloric  coeca,  gillrakers  and  branchiostegals.  But  though  some  of 
these  names  are  long,  none  of  them  is  difficult  to  understand  and 
the  characters  are  usually  easy  to  make  out. 

In  the  accompanying  drawing  of  a  whitefish  the  important 
parts  of  the  external  anatomy  are  indicated  by  name.  The  white- 
fish  will  serve  as  a  type  of  the  great  group  of  soft-rayed  fishes  to 
which  belong  many  of  the  most  important  families  of  our  game 
and  food  fishes. 

And  the  small-mouth  black  bass,  of  which  a  drawing  is 
here  given,  will  answer  the  same  purpose  for  the  spiny-rayed 
fishes,  a  still  larger  and,  in  many  respects,  more  important  group. 

With  the  aid  of  these  two  figures  one  can  easily  learn  about 
all  the  external  anatomical  or  other  characters  used  in  the  present 
work  in  the  identification  of  fishes. 

These  parts  are  common  to  most  fishes  and  their  names  once 
learned  will  be  found  easy  to  remember.  Near  the  close  of  the 
volume  will  be  found  a  very  complete  ''"Glossary,"  of  terms  more 
or  less  technical,  for  the  use  of  those  who  find  words  with  which 
they  are  not  familiar. 

There  is  also  near  the  close  of  the  book  (pp.  541-545), 
a  "Key  to  the  Families  of  Fishes"  which  must  be  used  by  those 
who  do  not  at  once  recognize  the  family  to  which  the  fish 
under  consideration  belongs. 

All  the  keys  in  this  work  are  arranged  on  the  "alternative" 
basis, .  which  means  that  either  the  one  or  the  other  of  two 
contrasted  statements  will  be  true.  The  first  statement  to  be 
considered  in  using  any  of  the  keys  is  lettered  "a",  "b",  or  "c", 
etc.,  and  the  alternative  is  "aa",  "bb",  or  "cc",  etc.,  the  number- 
ing letter  being  always  written  double  in  the  alternative.  With 
fish  in  hand  read  what  is  said  under  "a"  ;  if  that  be  true  of  your 
fish,  read  the  first  subdivision  under  "a"  which  is  "  b ".  So 
long  as  what  is  said  under  the  single  letter  applies  to  your  fish 
you  read  on  from  one  subdivision  to  another  until  a  letter  is 
reached  under  which  there  are  no  subdivisions  when  you  will  be 
brought  to  a  family,  generic  or  specific  name.  Turn  to  the  page 
indicated  by  the  figures  following  this  name  and  you  will  there 
find  the  family,  genus  or  species  (as  the  case  may  be)  to  which 
your  fish  belongs  fully  described.  Whenever  the  statement  under 
the  single  letter  is  found  not  to  be  true  of  your  fish,  you  then  read 

xxxi 


CVJ 


.si 

0)  C 


ID 

g) 

P 

+JT) 

CO 

o  S3 

H 

^M    ^ 

Prf 

6^ 

ni 

_aj      t,*d 

W 

*y      **"*  C 
G      'O  rt 

fa  a 

~    .  3       <u-o 

O   w 

"   MT3         «C 

i"  >.  D       C  cfl 

*  S 
2  Q 

aga     g^   - 
0  ^rs      o  ft<l) 

Srt-S    »3.s 

HE  LOCAT: 
PINY-RAYE 

a,  M  s     «  c  — 

J8T3l(3SS       « 

•^gs::-s»-rti5 

<u  fe  rt-=  o^,^  c*- 
o  a^-Sx!  g  °  *^3 
<-  °  <u  c  *e  5  o)^_  o 

IJ3ll3i8- 

H    CO 

O 

a  o.'o*  d  «  n  ^ 

fc 

H    Hi    M    M 

o-a 

o'o 


^  o  13-0  c~ 


XXX11 


How  to   Identify  a   Fish 

the  alternative  which  is  under  the  same  letter  doubled,  and  pro- 
ceed as  before.  In  a  few  instances  there  is  a  second  or  even 
third  alternative,  the  guide  letter  being  written  three  or  four  times 
to  correspond,  as,  for  example,  "III"  in  the  Key  to  Families. 

If  you  do  not  know  to  what  family  the  specimen  in  hand 
belongs  use  the  Key  to  Families  at  the  close  of  the  volume  where 
all  the  family  names  are  numbered  and  paged  to  correspond  with 
their  position  in  the  text.  When  the  family  is  found  and  its 
important  characters  studied,  the  key  following  the  family  diagnosis 
will  lead  one  to  the  right  genus.  If  the  specimen  agrees  with  the 
generic  diagnosis  given,  you  can  be  sure  that  no  mistake  has  been 
made  thus  far  and  the  particular  species  can  be  determined  by  the 
use  of  the  key  following. 

These  keys  and  descriptions  may  at  first  seem  somewhat 
difficult  but  with  a  little  experience  they  become  exceedingly 
easy  to  use  and  understand. 

In  descriptions  of  fishes  certain  comparative  measurements  are 
made.  The  length  of  the  head  and  the  depth  of  the  body  are 
always  compared  with  the  standard  length  of  the  fish,  which  is 
the  distance  from  the  tip  of  the  snout  to  the  base  of  the  caudal 
fin.  The  diameter  of  the  eye,  length  of  snout,  maxillary,  and 
mandible,  and  (usually)  the  length  of  fins,  spines  or  rays,  are 
compared  with  that  of  the  head. 

In  our  descriptions  of  species,  we  have  attempted  to  bring  the 
principal  comparative  measurements  first.  The  expressions  ''head 
4",  or  "depth  4",  mean  that  the  length  of  the  head  in  the  one 
case,  or  the  greatest  depth  of  the  body  in  the  other,  is  contained 
4  times  in  the  length  of  the  fish  measured  from  the  tip  of  the  snout 
to  the  end  of  the  last  caudal  vertebra,  the  caudal  fin  being  not 
included.  "Eye  5"  means  that  the  horizontal  diameter  of  the  eye 
is  contained  5  times  in  the  length  of  the  head.  "Scales  11-85-25" 
means  that  there  are  1 1  rows  of  scales  between  the  front  of  the 
dorsal  fin  and  the  lateral  line,  85  scales  in  the  lateral  line  itself, 
and  25  scales  in  an  oblique  series  downward  and  backward  from 
the  lateral  line  to  the  origin  of  the  anal  fin,  or  the  vent.  When 
the  number  of  pores  in  the  lateral  line  is  fewer  than  the  number 
of  scales,  we  have  usually  indicated  the  fact.  The  fin  formulas 
are  usually  shortened  as  much  as  possible;  thus  "D.  10";  "D. 
V,  9";  or  "  D.  VIII-I3",  means  that  in  the  first  case  the  fish 
has  a  single  dorsal  fin  of  10  soft  or  articulated  rays;  in  the  second 


How  to    Identify  a  Fish 

case  a  single  dorsal  fin  of  5  spines  and  9  soft  rays;  and  the  last 
indicates  a  fish  with  two  dorsal  fins  the  anterior  of  which  is 
composed  of  8  spines  and  the  other  of  1 3  soft  rays.  Spines  are 
always  indicated  by  roman  letters  and  rays  by  figures.  The 
abbreviations  for  the  other  fin  formulas  are  similarly  explained. 

The  measurements  given  in  the  text  are  intended  to  apply  to 
the  average  of  mature  fishes.  Young  fishes  are  usually  more 
slender,  the  head  and  eye  larger,  and  the  mouth  smaller  than  in 
adults. 

Those  who  wish  to  learn  more  of  what  has  been  written  regard- 
ing American  fishes  -are  referred  to  the  present  writers'  "  Fishes  of 
North  and  Middle  America,"  a  work  in  4  volumes  of  3,313  pages 
and  about  1,000  illustrations  recently  published  as  Bulletin  47  of 
the  United  States  National  Museum;  to  the  "Fisheries  and  Fishery 
Industries  of  the  United  States "  by  Dr.  George  Brown  Goode, 
published  in  1884  as  a  part  of  the  Tenth  Census  Reports;  and  to 
the  various  Annual  Bulletins  and  Reports  of  the  United  States  Fish 
Commission. 


zzxiv 


AMERICAN    BAIT   MINNOWS 

To-morrow  we  will  go  a-fishing  ;  do  thou  go  now  and  fetch  the  bait. 

— Hyntir  to  Thor. 

THE  great  majority  of  the  "  bait  minnows "  used  by  anglers 
in  America  belong  to  the  Cyprinidce,  which  is  the  carp  or  minnow 
family  proper.  Two  or  three  are  catfishes,  three  or  four  are 
darters,  one  or  more  species  of  killifish  are  used  to  some  extent, 
the  skipjack  (Labidesthes  sicculus)  is  used  in  some  places  for 
certain  kinds  of  fishing,  and  the  young  of  several  species  of  suckers 
are  seen  in  the  live-box  of  the  dealer  in  "  minnows"  or  in  the 
bucket  of  the  amateur  angler.  The  mud  minnow  (Umbra  limi), 
which,  of  course,  is  no  minnow  at  all,  any  more  than  that  it 
is  a  young  dog-fish  (Amia  calva),  as  many  a  fisherman  will 
assure  you,  may  also  be  found  among  the  species  offered  for  sale. 
And  all  these  have  their  advantages, — that  of  Umbra  being  that  it 
will  live  and  remain  vigorous  under  any  kind  of  treatment  ;  even 
the  game  fish  will  let  it  severely  alone. 

Even  young  bass,  perch  and  blobs  may  now  and  then  be  seen 
in  the  live-boxes,  and  unsophisticated  anglers  may  be  inveigled 
into  paying  a  good  round  price  for  them  upon  the  recommendation 
of  the  conscienceless  dealer  who  asseverates  that  they  are  "just 
the  thing." 

With  these  few  exceptions,  however,  all  the  small  fishes  used 
for  bait  belong  to  a  single  family,  the  Cyprinidce,  an  exceedingly 
large  family  of  fishes,  usually  small  in  size,  found  throughout 
North  America,  Europe  and  Asia.  The  number  of  species  found  in 
each  of  these  three  continents  is  very  great,  and  the  total  number 
of  known  species  in  the  family  is  very  large.  In  North  America 
alone  the  family  is  represented  by  about  40  genera  and  130  species. 
There  is  scarcely  a  stream  or  lake  which  has  not  from  2  or  3 
to  30  or  more  species  of  this  family.  The  streams  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi  basin  are  most  abundantly  supplied;  not  only  are  there 
numerous  species,  but  individuals  abound.  In  the  Wabash  basin 
alone  not  fewer  than  30  different  species  are  found. 

Though  most  of  the  minnows  are  species  whose  individuals 
attain  only  a  small  size,  this  is  not  true  of  all  members  of  the 


American  Bait  Minnows 


family.  While  our  largest  minnows  in  the  Eastern  States  rarely 
reach  a  length  of  more  than  a  foot  or  18  inches,  there  are 
species  in  the  West,  particularly  in  the  Colorado  and  Columbia 
rivers,  which  attain  a  length  of  4  to  5  feet  and  a  weight  of  many 
pounds.  And  they  are  as  true  minnows  as  are  any  of  our  small 
species.  The  term  "minnow"  does  not  mean  a  small  fish  or  a 
young  fish,  but  it  means  a  member  of  the  Cyprinidce  family  of 
fishes,  whatever  may  be  its  size.  The  proper  name  for  young 
fish  is  fry. 

Our  genera  of  Cyprinidce  are  mostly  very  closely  related    and 
are    separated    by   characters   which,    although    reasonably   constant 

are  often  of  slight  structural 
importance.  All  the  species 
spawn  in  the  spring  and 
early  summer  and  the  spring 
or  breeding  dress  of  the  male 
is  often  peculiar.  The  top  of 
the  head,  and  often  the  fins 
and  other  parts  of  the  body 
are  covered  with  small  tub- 
ercles, outgrowths  from  the 
epidermis.  The  fins  and  low- 
er portions  of  the  body  are 
often  charged  with  bright 
pigment,  the  prevailing  col- 
our of  which  is  red,  although 
in  some  genera  it  is  satin-white,  yellow,  or  even  black. 

Young  Cyprinidce  are  usually  more  slender  than  adults  of  the 
same  species,  and  the  eye  is  always  much  larger.  The  young 
also  frequently  show  a  black  lateral  stripe  and  caudal  spot  which 
the  adult  may  not  possess.  The  fins  and  scales  are  often, 
especially  in  individuals  living  in  small  brooks  or  in  stagnant 
water,  covered  with  round  black  specks,  which  are  immature 
trematodes  and  should  not  be  mistaken  for  true  colour  markings. 
No  progress  can  be  made  in  the  identification  of  minnows 
without  very  careful  attention  to  the  teeth,  as  the  genera  are 
largely  based  on  dental  characters.  The  minnows  have  no  teeth 
in  the  mouth,  the  jaws,  tongue,  vomer  and  palatines  being 
entirely  toothless.  The  only  teeth  which  they  possess  are  on  the 
pharyngeal  bones,  and  are  known  as  pharyngeal  teeth. 


Pharyngeal  teeth  of  the  Redfin  (Notropis 
cornutus),  which  has  the  teeth  2,  4-4,  2, 
hooked  and  with  narrow  grind- 
ing  surface. 


xxxv: 


American  Bait  Minnows 

The  pharyngeal  bones  can  be  removed  by  inserting  a  pin  or 
small  hook  through  the  gill-opening,  under  the  shoulder-girdle. 
The  bone  may  then  be  carefully  cleaned  with  a  tooth-brush,  and 
when  dry,  examined  with  a  hand-lens  and  the  teeth  easily  made 
out.  In  most  cases  the  teeth  will  be  found  to  be  in  two  rows, 
the  principal  row  containing  4  or  5  teeth,  and  the  other  row 
having  but  i  or  2,  which  are  usually  smaller.  There  is,  of 
course,  a  pharyngeal  bone  on  each  side,  and  both  must  usually 
be  examined.  The  2  sides  are  usually,  but  not  always,  sym- 
metrical. Thus,  "teeth  2,4-5,1"  indicates  two  rows  of  teeth  on 
each  side,  on  the  one  side  4  in  the  principal  row  and  2  in  the 
lesser  row;  on  the  other  side  5  in  the  main  row  and  i  in  the 
other.  "Teeth  4-4"  means  a  single  row  of  4  teeth  on  each 
pharyngeal  bone. 

In  many  of  our  minnows  the  teeth,  or  the  principal  ones,  are 
"raptatorial," — that  is,  hooked  inward  at  the  tips.  A  grinding 
or  masticatory  surface  is  an  excavated  space  or  groove,  usually 
at  the  base  of  the  hook.  Sometimes  the  grinding  surface  is  very 
narrow  and  confined  to  i  or  2  teeth.  Sometimes  a  bevelled  or 
flattened  edge  looks  so  much  like  a  grinding  surface  as  to  mislead 
a  superficial  observer.  In  some  cases  the  edge  of  the  tooth  is 
serrate  or  crenate. 

Minnows  are  found  in  all  sorts  of  places.  Certain  species,  as 
the  spot-tailed  shiner,  are  confined  chiefly  to  lakes  ;  others,  as 
the  fallfish,  are  found  in  the  larger  streams  ;  still  others, 
as  the  creek  chub,  are  found  in  the  smaller  streams.  In  any 
given  stream  certain  species  will  be  found  to  frequent  the  swiftly- 
flowing  waters  or  the  riffles  and  gravel-bars;  others  seek  the 
deeper,  quiet  pools;  while  yet  others  will  be  found  among  the 
patches  of  aquatic  vegetation. 

Collecting  bait  minnows :  There  are,  of  course,  all  sorts  of 
ways  for  collecting  or  securing  bait  minnows.  The  great  majority 
of  anglers  are  doubtless  in  the  habit  of  depending  upon  local 
dealers  for  bait.  Every  important  fishing  resort  has  one  or  more 
persons  who  are  in  the  business  and  from  whom  live  minnows 
may  be  obtained  at  prices  varying  from  25  cents  to  $2.00  a  dozen. 
And  there  are  dealers  who  keep  nothing  but  desirable  minnows, 
but  the  average  man  who  handles  live  bait  is  not  so  particular, 
and  in  his  live-box  may  be  found  all  sorts  of  small  fish,  and  some 


American  Bait  Minnows 

that  are  not  small,  which  he  recommends  in  the  highest  terms 
to  the  inexperienced  angler. 

But  many  anglers,  either  by  preference  or  from  necessity, 
collect  their  own  bait  minnows,  and  this  custom  has  much  to 
recommend  it  ;  for  one  can  usually  secure  better  minnows.  He 
can  make  his  own  selections  as  to  species  and  size,  his  minnows 
will  be  fresher  and  more  vigorous  than  those  from  the  Saprolegnia- 
infested  live-box,  and,  moreover,  he  who  collects  his  own  min- 
nows learns  much  about  their  habits  and  much  of  nature,  which 
will  be  no  disadvantage  to  any  man. 

The  best  and  most  satisfactory  manner  of  collecting  minnov/s 
for  bait  is  by  means  of  the  Baird  collecting  seine.  These  seines 
can  be  had  of  any  desired  length  from  H.  &  G.  W.  Lord,  Boston, 
but  the  angler,  will  of  course,  keep  within  the  lawful  limit  of 
minnow  seines.  The  peculiarity  of  the  Baird  seine  is  that  the 
middle  portion  is  made  with  finer  mesh  than  the  ends  and  is 
made  into  a  bag  2  or  3  feet  in  length.  Seines  without  the  bag, 
but  with  the  finer  mesh  in  the  bunt  may  be  had. 

Various  other  kinds  of  nets  are  used,  with  varying  success, 
but  a  Baird  seine  15  to  25  feet  long  will  prove  most  satisfactory. 

Minnows  suitable  for  live  bait  can  be  found  in  almost  any 
stream  or  lake  that  has  not  been  overfished  or  whose  waters  are 
not  polluted  or  made  unsuitable  for  fish  by  milling,  mining,  logging 
or  sewage  operations.  Different  species  will  be  found  in  different 
streams,  some  preferring  those  with  colder  water,  rocky  bottom, 
and  swiftly-flowing  current,  while  others  have  chosen  the  streams 
whose  waters  flow  more  slowly  and  are  warmer,  and  whose 
bottom  is  of  mud  or  sand  or  fine  gravel.  And  in  the  same 
stream  different  species  will  seek  out  different  parts;  some  prefer 
the  quiet  reaches,  some  the  patches  of  aquatic  vegetation,  while 
others  delight  to  dwell  in  the  shallows  of  the  riffles  upon  the 
gravel-bars  where  the  water  flows  swiftly  and  is  well  aerated. 
A  similar  distribution  of  species  will  be  noticed  in  the  lakes 
and  ponds. 

Generally  speaking,  the  species  of  minnows  will  be  most 
numerous  and  individuals  most  abundant  in  the  warmer  streams 
and  lakes. 

In  the  experience  of  many  anglers,  creek  or  river  minnows 
are  preferable  to  those  from  lakes  or  ponds,  particularly  if  one  is 
fishing  for  black  bass  or  wall-eyed  pike.  The  best  bait  species 


xxxvin 


American  Bait  Minnows 

are  those  that  are  found  in  the  swiftly  flowing  water  of  the  riffles. 
Not  only  are  the  species  better,  but  the  fish  are  more  vigorous 
and  active,  and  more  tenacious  of  life,  as  well  as  more 
silvery  or  brightly  coloured,  which  are  the  points  chiefly  deter- 
mining the  excellence  of  a  bait  minnow,  as  such.  To  be  effective, 
a  bait  minnow  must  be  bright  or  silvery  enough  to  attract  the 
attention  of  the  fish,  it  must  be  active  to  show  that  it  is  alive, 
albeit  in  distress  or  under  restraint,  and  its  tenacity  of  life  must 
be  great  to  enable  it  to  withstand  the  changed  and  constantly 
changing  environment  and  the  slight  physical  injury  incident  to 
its  being  impaled  upon  the  hook.  The  size  of  the  minnows 
selected  will  of  course  be  determined  by  the  kind  of  fishing  the 
angler  wishes  to  do. 

In  seining  for  bait  minnows  a  great  many  small  fish  will  be 
caught  which  are  not  wanted.  It  would  seem  that  it  ought  not 
to  be  necessary  to  urge  that  these  should  all  be  returned  to  the 
water,  but  entirely  too  many  bait-gatherers  and  anglers  fail  to  do 
so.  The  seine  is  hauled  out  upon  the  shore,  the  minnows  that 
are  wanted  are  put  into  the  live-bucket,  and  the  rest  of  the  catch 
is  dumped  upon  the  shore  to  die.  Among  the  fishes  allowed 
to  perish  miserably  in  this  way  will  be  found  young  of  many 
food-and-game  species  such  as  both  species  of  black  bass,  the 
rock  bass,  bluegill,  and  yellow  perch,  as  well  as  many  other 
species  that  are  either  valuable  as  food  or  which  serve  as  food 
for  our  game  fishes.  The  great  scarcity  of  fish  in  many  streams 
and  small  lakes  is  undoubtedly  due  in  large  measure  to  this 
wholly  inexcusable  carelessness  and  the  criminal  indifference  of 
those  seining  for  bait. 

Various  sorts  of  traps  are  used  for  catching  minnows.  The 
most  common  and  perhaps  the  most  effective  is  made  of  wire 
and  constructed  after  the  manner  of  the  ordinary  rat-trap,  which 
permits  easy  entrance  but  exit  from  which  is  difficult.  These 
traps  are,  of  course,  baited,  usually  with  small  particles  or  balls 
of  dough,  and  are  set  in  places  which  minnows  are  known  to 
frequent. 

Minnows  may  be  caught  also  by  means  of  a  small  dip-net 
by  properly  baiting  it  and  allowing  it  to  rest  upon  the  bottom 
until  the  minnows  are  over  it  in  numbers  feeding  upon  the  dough 
with  which  it  has  been  baited;  then  by  lifting  the  net  quickly 
the  minnows  may  be  secured. 


XXXIX 


American  Bait  Minnows 

In  the  absence  of  all  better  ways  good  bait  minnows,  parti- 
cularly the  fallfish,  creek  chub,  river  chub,  and  redfm  may  be 
obtained  with  hook  and  line,  provided  the  hook  used  be  very  small. 

The  care  of  live  minnows:  More  bait  minnows  die  from 
careless  handling  and  disease  than  are  used  in  actual  fishing,  but 
it  should  be  otherwise.  With  proper  attention  there  should  be 
but  little  loss  with  any  of  the  desirable  minnows  ;  most  of  them 
are  hardy  and  will  do  well  in  confinement. 

In  the  first  place,  a  large  minnow  bucket  is  better  than  a 
small  one,  and  too  many  fish  should  not  be  put  in  it  at  one  time; 
crowding  should  always  be  avoided. 

The  fish  must  be  handled  as  little  as  possible  and  with 
extreme  care;  handling  or  other  treatment  which  results  in  rubbing 
off  any  scales  is  sure  to  prove  fatal  very  soon. 

The  water  should  be  kept  cool  and  well  aerated,  either  by 
addition  of  fresh  water  by  pouring,  or  by  pumping  air  into  the 
water  with  a  bicycle  pump.  Before  putting  minnows  in  the 
bucket  it  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and  disinfected,  so  that 
no  germs  may  be  left  from  fish  which  may  have  died  in  it. 

If  you  have  a  live-box  in  which  you  keep  on  hand  a  larger 
supply  of  minnows,  it  should  receive  the  same  attention.  It  must 
be  set  in  suitable  water,  water  that  is  cool  and  which  has  a 
current,  if  possible,  and  must  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and  disin- 
fected as  often  as  possible.  Probably  the  vast  majority  of  fish 
which  die  in  live-boxes  and  aquariums  do  so  from  the  attacks 
of  different  species  of  a  fungus  belonging  to  the  genus  Saprolegnia. 
These  are  plants  ^closely  related  in  structure  to  the  algae,  and 
may  be  regarded  as  degraded  forms  which,  because  of  their 
saprophytic  or  parasitic  habits,  have  lost  their  chlorophyl  or 
green  colouring  matter. 

This  fungus  may  develop  on  any  part  of  the  fish,  though 
perhaps  most  abundantly  or  more  frequently  on  the  tail,  fins  or 
head,  or  where  scales  have  been  rubbed  off.  It  may  be  limited 
to  small  definite  patches,  or  may  spread  all  over  the  fish.  In 
general  it  forms  tufts  of  white,  fluffy  threads  that  radiate  out  from 
the  body.  The  mycelium  of  this  fungus  develops  beneath  the 
scales  or  skin,  and  by  the  time  it  appears  on  the  surface  the  fish 
is  past  recovery.  The  only  way  to  do  then  is  to  destroy  all  those 
evidently  affected.  The  others  which  may  be  saved  should  be 
removed  to  another  tank  or  vessel  and  treated  to  a  saltwater  bath. 

xl 


American  Bait  Minnows 

The  salt  solution  should  not  be  too  strong;  ordinarily  about  one 
part  of  salt  to  a  thousand  of  water  will  prove  sufficiently  strong. 
Before  the  fish  are  returned  to  the  live-box  it  should  be  carefully 
cleaned  and  set  in  a  different  place. 

It  is  of  course  much  more  difficult  to  keep  minnows  in  the 
summer  than  at  any  other  time  ;  and  as  it  is  also  easier  to  get 
them  then  there  is  no  necessity  for  crowding  the  live-box. 

Though  there  are  more  than  a  hundred  species  of  minnows 
in  America  and  nearly  all  of  them  are  used  to  some  extent  as 
bait,  not  more  than  a  dozen  or  14  are  usually  regarded  as  bait 
minnows. 

While  the  relative  values  of  the  different  kinds  of  bait  min- 
nows vary  greatly  with  the  locality,  nevertheless  certain  species 
are  recognized  by  all  anglers  as  particularly  suitable  for  certain 
game  fishes  and  others  for  other  game  fishes. 

For  muskallunge  the  best  and  most  popular  minnows  are 
the  fallfish  (Semotilus  corporalis),  large  examples  of  the  creek 
chub  (5.  atromaculatus) ,  and  the  river  chub  (Hybopsis  kentuchi- 
ensis}.  Small  suckers  are  also  often  used,  but  perhaps  the  best 
of  all  is  the  river  chub,  as  it  is  a  hardy  vigorous  fish  which  will 
endure  much  punishment  and  is  very  active  and  attractive  on  the 
hook. 

Smaller  examples  of  these  same  species  are  excellent  for  both 
species  of  black  bass.  For  bass  fishing  the  following  additional 
species  are  superior  live-bait:  Storer's  chub  (Hybopsis  storerianus) 
redfm  or  common  silverside  (Notropis  cornutus),  shiner  or  spottail 
minnow  (N.  hudsonius),  the  silverfm  (N.  whipplii),  the  slender  silver- 
side  (N.  atherinoides) ,  and  the  blunt-nosed  minnow  (Pimephales 
notalus).  In  the  Potomac  and  Susquehanna  rivers  small  catfish 
are  extensively  used  and  are  very  killing.  In  Maine  the  gray- 
back  or  "  shore-fish  "(  Fundulus  diaphanus)  is  much  used. 

But  the  style  of  minnow  varies  much  with  the  locality  and 
the  season.  In  some  places  and  during  some  seasons  crawfish 
and  frogs  are  the  best  lures.  Frogs  are  used  in  New  England  and 
in  the  Great  Lakes  region.  Crawfish  are  popular  in  the  Great 
Lakes  and  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley.  In  the  small  lakes 
of  northern  Indiana,  justly  celebrated  for  their  black  bass,  the  small- 
mouth  prefers  a  grasshopper  in  the  summer  but  in  the  fall  the 
river  chub,  blunt-nosed  minnow  and  redfm  are  the  best.  The 
large-mouth  does  not  ordinarily  take  grasshoppers  very  readily, 

xli 


American  Bait  Minnows 

but  the  various  minnows  just  named,  if  of  somewhat  larger  size, 
are  very  effective. 

Of  course  many  other  kinds  of  small  fishes  are  used  as  live- 
bait  in  different  localities  and  many  kinds  of  live-bait  not  min- 
nows are  used,  among  which  the  names  of  many  will  occur  to 
the  angler  who  reads  these  pages, — grasshoppers,  frogs,  clams, 
white  grubs,  angleworms,  dobsons,  hellgrammite,  and  even  mice. 

Perhaps  the  thorough-going  angler  will  be  disposed  to  scorn 
all  live-bait  and  use  only  the  artificial  fly.  And  in  this  he  is  quite 
right,  for  to  catch  many  fish  is  no  longer  the  desire  of  the  true 
angler.  Only  those  unworthy  the  name  and  whom  we  no  longer 
respect  are  disposed  to  make  large  catches.  Anglers  now  go 
a-angling  with  light  tackle  and  give  the  fish  a  chance.  They 
will  not  catch  many  fish ;  the  size  of  the  basket  is  not  their  aim. 
They  will  never  take  more  fish  than  they  can  properly  use.  But 
they  will  enjoy  fishing  only  the  more  on  that  account.  They 
will  get  away  from  offices,  counting-rooms,  school-books,  parlours 
and  five-o'clock  teas,  out  into  the  open  of  existence  where  life  is 
real  and  where  worry  and  strain  and  sham  are  not;  where  there 
are  green  banks  and  leafy,  fragrant  woods,  singing  birds  and  blue 
skies.  These  they  will  see  and  feel  and  enjoy  and,  returning  home, 
the  serious  affairs  of  life  will  be  taken  up  again  with  lighter  heart 
and  cleaner  soul. 

"It  is  not  all  of  fishing  to  fish." 


xlii 


FISHING  WITH  THE   FLY* 

LY  FISHING  is  the  art  of  presenting  to  a  fish  a 
bunch  of  feathers  tied  to  a  hook  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  fish  will  believe  that  the 
aforesaid  bunch  is  something  edible  and  become 
"permanently  attached"  to  it. 

The  seductiveness  of  the  presentation  of 
the  artificial  fly  depends  greatly  on  the  ability 
of  the  fisherman  to  cause  his  line  to  fall  gently 
on  the  water  within  reasonable  distance  of  the 
spot  where  his  prospective  victim  is  lying  in 
wait  for  something  to  eat  to  pass  by. 
Fly  fishing  is  the  highest  branch  of  angling.  Its  appurten- 
ances are  the  most  artistic  of  all  fishing  tackle  and  its  practice 
utilizes  the  most  graceful  of  all  motions  involved  in  fishing.  It 
is  a  perpetual  joy  to  its  votaries,  and,  like  chess,  while  the  element- 
ary moves  are  easily  learned,  there  is  always  room  for  improvement. 
The  requisite  tackle  is  simple,  beautiful  and,  comparatively 
speaking,  inexpensive.  The  man  of  moderate  means  is  perfectly 
equipped  with  a  ten-dollar  outfit,  while  the  wealthy  angler  may 
gratify  his  artistic  taste  in  the  ownership  of  an  equipment  costing 
fifteen  times  as  much  and  both  may  meet  on  .^^  *ream  on 
exactly  equal  terms.  The  float,  sinkers,  spoons,  L  .,/  "  '^s  and 
swivels  of  the  bait  fisherman  form  no  part  of  the  fly-caster's  outfit. 
A  light  rod  with  the  reel  seat  below  the  hand — a  simple  single- 
action  reel,  25  to  60  yards  of  waterproof  enameled  fly  line,  a 
couple  of  6  foot  leaders  of  single  silkworm  gut,  an  assortment  of 
flies  and  a  book  to  hold  them,  a  creel,  and  a  short-handled  land- 
ing-net complete  his  equipment.  He  has  no  bait  to  procure  and 
no  worry,  trouble  or  bother  in  transporting  and  keeping  it  alive; 
the  success  of  his  day's  outing  depends  on  his  skill,  the  use  of 
the  simple  equipment  given,  and  his  knowledge  of  the  habits  of 
the  fish  he  pursues. 

The  novice  who  has  never  tried  to  cast  a  fly  will  get  per- 
haps as  much  assistance  as  he  can  receive  from  printed  matter 
out  of  the  following  simple  instructions: 

*  This  chapter  has  been  furnished  by  Mr.  E.  T.  Keyset. 


xiiii 


Fishing  with  the  Fly 

Take  your  rod  from  the  case,  attach'  your  single-action  reel 
to  the  butt  of  the  rod  on  the  same  side  as  the  guides,  in  such 
a  position  that  with  the  reel  on  the  under  side  of  the  butt  the 
handle  will  be  at  the  right  hand.  Join  the  tip  and  the  middle 
joint  together,  keeping  the  guides  of  both  in  line,  pressing  the 
ferule  gently  together,  avoiding  a  twisting  motion  which  is  apt 
to  injure  the  rod;  then  bring  the  second  joint  and  butt  together  in 
the  same  manner.  Draw  3  or  4  yards  of  line  from  the  reel  and 
thread  it  through  the  guides  and  tip.  Attach  the  free  end  of 
your  line  to  the  upper  leader  loop  with  a  knot  as  indicated  in 
illustration  (i).  The  advantage  of  this  knot  lies  in  the  fact  that 


i      Knot  for  attaching  leader  to  line  for  fly-fishing. 

any  amount  of  tension  on  line  or  leader  will  serve  only  to  draw 
it  more  tightly,  but  a  slight  pull  on  the  loose  end  (A)  will  at 
once  release  the  knot.  Make  an  assortment  of  three  flies,  using 
dark  or  dull  coloured  flies  for  bright  days  or  shallow  water  and 
bright  gaudy  flies  for  dark  days  or  deep  streams.  Pass  the  loop 
of  the  fl^c  .snell  over  the  leader  loops,  then  bringing  the  body  of 
the  fly  through  the  latter.  The  leader  should  be  moist  and  pliant 
before  using;  otherwise  it  will  snap  when  casting  and  your  flies 
will  either  decorate  some  nearby  tree-top  or  sail  down  the  stream 
entirely  unconnected  with  the  rest  of  your  tackle.  For  casting 
from  a  boat  or  on  a  comparatively  open  stream  the  ordinary  over- 
hand cast  which  is  the  simplest  may  be  used.  Hold  the  butt  of 
your  rod  in  your  right  hand  with  your  reel  underneath.  Strip 
sufficient  line  from  your  reel  to  enable  your  end  or  dropper  fly 
to  come  to  the  butt  of  your  rod.  Hold  the  hook  of  your  dropper 
fly  in  the  left  hand,  pulling  it  backwards  on  a  line  with,  and 
sufficient  distance  below  the  butt  of  your  rod,  to  bend  the  tip  in 
a  half  circle.  Hold  your  rod  almost  horizontally,  with  a  slight 
upward  inclination  to  the  tip.  Release  the  dropper  fly.  The 
spring  of  the  rod  tip  will  cause  the  line  to  spring  forward  its 
full  length  and  the  flies  to  light  on  the  water.  With  the  thumb 

xliv 


Fishing  with  the  Fly 

and  the  fore-finger  of  the  left  hand  grasp  the  line  above  the  reel, 
stripping  a  couple  of  feet  of  it.  Raise  the  rod  with  a  gradual 
quickening  motion  until  the  tip  of  the  rod  passes  backward  over 
the  right  shoulder  and  back  of  one's  head.  This  will  raise  the 
flies  from  the  water  and,  as  they  rise,  the  resistance  of  the  water 
will  take  up  the  slack  of  the  line  which  has  just  been  stripped 
from  the  reel.  Rising  from  the  surface  of  the  stream,  line,  leader 
and  flies  will  swing  over  and  behind  you  in  a  manner  similar 
to  a  coach  driver's  whip-lash.  Continue  the  motion  of  the  rod  in 
an  elliptical  course  which  will  bring  the  tip  forward  and 
to  the  left  until  the  tip  lies  again  before  you — at  an  angle  of 
about  25  degrees.  Then  let  it  cease  its  motion.  By  this  time 
if  the  cast  is  properly  made,  the  line  is  out  straight  ahead  of 
you  and  the  flies  have  dropped  on  the  surface  of  the  water  at 
a  point  2  feet  ahead  of  the  spot  where  they  lay  before  making 
the  cast. 

The  trick  in  making  this  style  of  cast  is  to  have  the  line 
straight  out  behind  you  at  the  same  instant  that  the  rod  is  at  its 
furthest  backward  position;  for  if  the  forward  motion  is  made 
before  the  line  is  straightened  out,  it  will  snap  like  a  coachman's 
whip  and  good-by  leaders  and  flies.  In  practising  have  a  com- 
panion watch  you  and  shout  "forward"  at  the  very  instant  when 
the  line  is  at  the  correct  position  for  the  forward  cast.  A  little 
practice  with  a  watcher  to  warn  will  enable  you  to  know  in- 
tuitively what  is  the  correct  time  to  commence  the  forward  motion 
of  the  rod. 

Keep  the  right  elbow  close  to  the  body.  Let  all  motion  be 
in  the  forearm  and  wrist  until  flies  almost  touch  the  water.  Use 
as  much  as  possible  the  elasticity  of  the  rod  to  shoot  flies  and 
line  forward.  Keep  the  rod  tip  at  an  angle  of  25  degrees  until 
the  flies  almost  touch  the  water.  Then  lower  it  gently  just  suf- 
ficient to  allow  the  flies  reaching  the  surface  without  splash.  If 
the  cast  is  not  long  enough,  strip  a  couple  more  feet  of  line 
from  the  reel  and  proceed  as  before  until  the  cast  is  long  enough 
to  suit  you  or  you  have  as  much  line  out  as  you  can  manage. 

The  position  of  the  rod  and  the  actual  path  of  the  flies 
through  the  air,  from  the  time  of  leaving  the  water  until  touch- 
ing it  again,  will  be  readily  understood  by  referring  to  Figure  2. 
No.  i  is  the  first  position  of  the  rod  with  the  fly  resting  on  the 
water,  No.  2  shows  the  rod  at  the  end  of  the  backward  motion, 

xlv 


Fishing  with  the  Fly 

and  No.  3  in  its  position  just  before  the  fly  drops  to  the  surface 
of  the  water.  The  path  of  the  flies  themselves,  from  the  time 
they  rise  from  the  water  until  their  return  to  it,  is  indicated  by 
the  dotted  lines,  the  fly  moving  in  the  direction  of  the  arrow. 


2.     Overhand  cast. 


It  is  not  always  possible  to  be  able  to  make  this  kind  of  cast 
without  danger  of  entangling  the  flies  in  the  brushwood  back  of 
you  and  it  is  often  desirable  to  be  able  to  drop  the  flies  under  a 
projecting  bush  or  tree.  For  dropping  under  an  overhanging  ob- 
struction flipping  the  fly  as  described  when  first  getting  it  into  the 
water  is  a  good  scheme. 

The  method  of  making  this  "flip"  cast  will  be  readily  under- 
stood by  referring  to  diagram  No.  3,  showing  relative  position  of 
rod  and  line  and  the  dotted  line  indicating  the  path  of  the  flies 
through  the  air. 


3.     Flip  cast. 

A  very  powerful  method  of  getting  one's  fly  out  against  a 
head  wind  is  in  swiftly  raising  the  rod  from  nearly  a  horizontal 
to  a  vertical  position  and  then  down  and  away  from  one  with  a 
forceful  switching  motion.  This  throws  the  line  up  overhead  and 
then  downward  and  out  in  front  of  the  caster,  the  line  and  the 
flies  cutting  through  the  breeze.  This  explanation  is  scarcely  as 
plain  as  the  diagram  No.  4. 

xlvi 


Fishing  with  the   Fly 

The  underhand  cast,  as  illustrated  in  cut  No.  5,  differs  from 
the  overhand  in  that  the  path  of  the  fly  on  leaving  the  water 
instead  of  being  upward,  is  brought  back  by  the  motion  of  the 
rod  from  position  r  to  2,  about  on  a  level  with  the  reel,  and  on 


4.     "  Wind  cast." 

reaching  its  furthest  backward  point  by  the  motion  of  the  rod  from 
positions  2  to  3,  the  fly  sweeps  upward,  forward,  and  then  down- 
ward to  the  water,  as  indicated  by  the  dotted  line,  in  a  parabolic 
curve.  Roughly  speaking,  while  the  path  of  the  fly  in  the  over- 
hand cast  may  be  said  to  describe  almost  a  figure  8  in  the  air,  in 
the  underhand  method  it  moves  in  an  irregular  ellipse. 


Underhand  cast. 


The  switch  casting  shown  in  Figure  No.  6  will  be  more  easily 
understood  by  reference  to  the  diagram  than  from  the  lengthy  ex- 
planation which  will  be  required  to  describe  it.  i,  2,  3  and  4 
show  the  various  positions  of  the  rod  from  the  time  the  fly  is  on 
the  water  until  the  time  it  is  just  about  to  return  to  the  surface. 
The  heavy  lines  show  approximately  the  shape  which  the  line 
assumes  at  the  different  positions  of  the  rod,  while  the  dotted  line 
indicates  the  course  of  the  flies  which  travel  in  the  direction  of  the 
arrow  points.  The  switch  cast,  when  mastered,  is  a  method  that 
enables  one  to  get  a  tremendous  amount  of  line  out;  it  will  also 
require  considerable  practice. 

xlvii 


Fishing  with  the  Fly 

There  are  several  other  very  beautiful  and  useful  casts,  which 
nothing  but  actual  practice  under  an  expert  will  enable  one  to 
acquire.  By  all  means  fish  up  stream,  if  possible.  Trout  lie  with 
their  heads  toward  the  head  of  the  stream,  waiting  for  their  food 
to  float  toward  them.  Their  vision  above  and  ahead  is  singularly 
acute,  but  extremely  poor  toward  the  rear.  Cast  above  them  and 
let  the  flies  float  down  over  them.  They  are  not  as  likely  to  see  you 
as  if  you  were  in  front,  and  they  will  not  be  disturbed  by  the  dirt 
and  debris  which  you  set  in  motion  and  which  float  down  stream. 


6.     Switch  cast. 

In  spring  and  early  summer  trout  may  be  found  in  compara- 
tively shallow  water  among  the  ripples.  Of  course,  where  the 
current  is  very  strong  in  these  ripples,  or  miniature  rapids,  it  may 
sometimes  be  desirable  to  fish  for  them  from  up  stream,  but  this 
practice  is  to  be  avoided  when  possible. 

The  tackle  and  methods,  as  indicated  above,  are  identical  for 
both  trout  and  black  bass,  with  the  exceptions,  while  the  trout  fly 
rod  may  run  from  9  to  io£  feet  in  length  and  for  practical  purposes 
weigh  from  6  to  7|  ounces,  the  bass  rod  should  be  about  10  feet 
in  length,  and  requiring  more  backbone,  should  weigh  from  8 
to  10  ounces.  Trout  and  bass  flies  are  almost  identical  in  their 
patterns,  but  while  trout  flies  should  be  tied  on  sproat  hooks 
ranging  in  size  for  ordinary  work  from  8  to  10,  or  for  clear  much 
/ished  streams,  on  even  No.  12,  the  bass  casting  flies  are  tied 
on  Nos.  2,  3,  4  and  5.  The  most  useful  may  be  named  as  fol- 
lows: Coachman,  professor,  soldier,  grizzly-king,  queen  of  the 
water,  and  ibis,  while  the  green,  brown,  yellow  and  red  hackles, 
together  with  the  white  hackle  for  evening  use  or  on  very  dark 
days,  will  be  found  excellent  stand-bys. 

While  for  ordinary  streams  flies  tied  on  8  to  10  sproat  hooks 
and  the  regulation  single  trout  leaders  will  be  found  satisfactory, 

xlyiii 


Fishing  with  the  Fly 

for  work  on  very  clear  and  much  fished  waters,  when  the  trout 
have  by  actual  experience  or  hereditary  knowledge  become  shy, 
midges  or  very  tiny  flies  on  No.  12  hooks  and  very  finely  drawn 
leaders  will  more  successfully  deceive  them.  On  such  streams  the 
English  method  of  dry-fly  fishing  is  often  the  only  style  of  casting 
that  will  put  trout  in  the  creel. 

The  usual  style  of  trout-fly  fishing  consists  in  wading  the 
stream  and  making  casts  in  likely  places — at  the  foot  of  riffles,  at 
the  edges  of  stumps,  logs  and  brush  and  beneath  overhanging 
bushes  and  banks.  The  dry-fly  fisher,  on  the  contrary,  waits  until 
he  perceives  a  rising  fish  and  then  presents  his  fly  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  it  will  float  over  it.  In  order  to  have  the  flies  float, 
they  must  be  dry,  and  to  keep  them  dry  the  angler  goes  along 
his  way  casting  them  backward  and  forward  through  the  air,  never 
letting  them  touch  the  water  until  actually  presenting  them  to  the 
fish.  This  continual  swinging  enables  him  to  have  a  quantity  of 
line  out  and  under  instant  control  and  also  dries  the  flies  after 
each  unsuccessful  immersion. 

Some  fishermen  drag  the  flies  over  the  water  at  the  end  of 
each  cast,  believing  that  the  motion  resembles  that  of  an  aerial 
insect  endeavoring  to  escape  to  land,  and  flies  are  often  tied  with 
heads  toward  the  hook  barb  so  that,  on  being  drawn  over  the 
water,  the  resistance  of  their  legs  and  wings  will  cause  them  to 
flutter  as  if  alive. 

Other  anglers  declare  that  the  more  attractive  method  is  to 
allow  the  flies  to  float  quietly,  and  to  enable  them  to  remain  on  the 
surface,  the  bodies  of  some  flies  are  wound  over  strips  of  cork. 

Trout,  black  bass,  grayling  and  salmon,  are  the  principal 
American  fishes  whose  capture  may  be  sought  with  the  fly.  Both 
the  grayling  and  salmon  may  be  dismissed  with  a  word.  The 
former,  while  game,  is  found  in  comparatively  few  waters.  The 
latter  requires  expensive  tackle,  boats,  guides,  and  the  rights  to  fish 
in  the  waters  which  it  inhabits  rent  at  so  high  a  figure  that  com- 
paratively few  fishermen  can  afford  to  indulge  in  the  pastime  of 
bringing  them  to  gaff.  Trout  and  bass,  like  one's  poor  relations, 
are  always  with  us,  scarcely  any  portion  of  this  country  is  without 
its  trout  or  bass  water,  and  the  poorest  man  may  occupy  his  vaca- 
tion in  submitting  the  fly  to  their  critical  taste.  The  little  sunfish 
or  pumpkin-seed  of  our  ponds  and  fresh  water  streams  possesses 
game  qualities  not  generally  recognized.  Although  usually  fished 

xlix 


Fishing  with  the  Fly 

for  with  worms,  this  beautiful  little  fellow  will  take  the  fly,  his 
preference  being  one  in  which  orange  or  yellow  predominates,  such 
as  the  yellow  drake,  California  red  hackle,  yellow  may  or  ouana- 
niche.  On  a  light  fly-rod,  swinging  his  broad  side  against  the  strain 
of  the  line  which  he  makes  cut  the  water  in  a  hissing  circle,  Mr. 
Pumpkin  Seed  will  often  give  the  fisher  a  pleasant  afternoon  when 
trout  and  bass  are  not  rising. 

Many  other  species  of  fresh-water  fishes  will  take  the  fly,  some 
of  them  readily  and  with  a  rush,  others  somewhat  gingerly. 
Among  those  we  have  taken  with  the  fly  may  be  mentioned 


"Clark's  spey  cast"  is  a  difficult,  but  beautiful  cast  to  make.       Mr.  Clark, 
from  whom  it  takes  the  name,  is   credited  with  throwing  fifty  yards. 

the  crappie,  calico  bass,  rock  bass,  warmouth  bass,  bluegill, 
red-eared  sunfish,  white  lake  bass,  and  yellow  perch.  And  the 
cisco  of  Lake  Tippecanoe  and  the  small  Wisconsin  lakes  takes 
the  fly  beautifully  for  a  few  days  in  June,  as  has  been  shown 
by  that  excellent  and  versatile  angler,  William  C.  Harris. 


THE  PADDLEFISHES 

Family  I.      Polyodontida 

BODY  fusiform,  scarcely  compressed;  skin  smooth,  scaleless; 
snout  lengthened  and  expanded  into  a  long,  thin,  flat  blade  or 
spatula,  the  inner  part  formed  by  the  produced  nasal  bones,  the 
outer  portion  with  a  reticulate  bony  framework,  the  whole  some- 
what flexible;  mouth  broad  and  terminal,  but  overhung  by  the  broad 
spatulate  snout;  border  of  mouth  formed  by  the  premaxillaries,  the 
maxillaries  being  obsolete;  jaws  and  palatines  with  numerous  fine, 
decidous  teeth  in  the  young,  scarcely  evident  in  the  adult;  no 
tongue;  spiracles  present;  opercle  rudimentary,  its  skin  produced 
behind  in  a  long,  pointed  flap;  no  pseudobranchiae;  gills  ^/z ; 
gillrakers  long,  in  a  double  series  on  each  arch,  the  series  divided 
by  a  broad  membrane;  gill-membranes  connected,  but  free  from 
the  isthmus;  a  single  broad  branchiostegal  ray;  no  barbels;  nostrils 
at  the  base  of  the  blade  and  double;  a  well-developed  and  contin- 
uous lateral  line,  its  lower  margin  with  short  branches;  dorsal  fin 
placed  posteriorly,  of  soft  rays  only;  anal  fin  similar,  somewhat 
more  posterior;  tail  heterocercal,  the  lower  lobe,  however,  well- 
developed,  the  tail  being  thus  nearly  equally  forked;  sides  of  the 
upper  caudal  lobe  armed  with  small,  rhombic  plates;  pectoral  fins 
moderate,  placed  low;  ventrals  many-rayed,  abdominal;  air-bladder 
cellular,  not  bifid;  pyloric  caeca  a  short,  broad,  branching,  leaf-like 
organ;  intestine  with  a  spiral  valve;  skeleton  chiefly  cartilaginous. 

This  family  contains  but  two  known  species — Psephurus 
gladius,  a  singular  inhabitant  of  the  fresh  waters  of  China,  and  the 
paddlefish  found  in  the  United  States. 


Paddle-fish;  Spoon-bill   Cat 

Polyodon  spathula     (Walbaum) 

The   Paddle-fish   is   one   of   the   most    singular  and   interesting 
fishes  occurring  in   American   waters.      Its  home   is   in  the   bayous 


The  Paddlefish 

and  lowland  streams  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  from  Texas  and 
Louisiana  on  the  south  to  Minnesota  and  Wisconsin  on  the  north. 
It  is  not  uncommon  in  the  Ohio  and  its  larger  tributaries,  and  in 
the  Missouri  basin  it  is  found  at  least  as  far  west  as  western  South 
Dakota.  It  is  particularly  abundant  in  the  streams  of  Arkansas, 
the  lower  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  north  to  St.  Paul.  A  single 
example  has  been  recorded  from  Lake  Erie  which  it  doubtless 
reached  through  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal. 

The  paddle-fish  reaches  an  immense  size.  Mr.  William  C. 
Harris,  in  his  "Fishes  of  North  America,"  records  an  individual 
taken  in  Lake  Tippecanoe,  Indiana,  which  was  6  feet  2  inches 
in  total  length,  4  '  feet  in  greatest  circumference,  and  which 
weighed  150  pounds;  and  we  have  a  photogaph  of  another  caught 
in  Chautauqua  Lake,  whose  length  and  circumference  were  exactly 
the  same  as  in  the  Tippecanoe  specimen,  but  whose  weight  was 
somewhat  less,  it  being  only  123^  pounds. 

Another  example  obtained  in  Lake  Manitau,  Indiana,  weighed 
163  pounds,  which  is  the  largest  on  record.  Still  another,  a  male, 
caught  by  us  in  White  River,  South  Dakota,  was  4  feet  5  inches 
in  total  length  and  weighed  18  pounds.  Mr.  F.  R.  Mueller,  a 
wholesale  fish  dealer  of  Chicago,  who  has  made  a  specialty  of  this 
species,  says  he  has  seen  examples  as  long  as  4^  feet  and  weigh- 
75  to  80  pounds.  He  states  that  the  average  length  is  3  feet  an4 
the  weight  30  pounds.  Mr.  Mueller's  figures  doubtless  refer  to  female 
fish  at  spawning  time  when  they  are  much  heavier  than  the  males. 

In  1817,  the  distinguished  naturalist,  Charles  Alexandre  Le 
Sueur,  described  a  specimen,  4  feet  8  inches  in  total  length,  which 
he  obtained  in  the  Ohio  River,  but  adds  that  the  species  grows 
to  somewhat  larger  size. 

Dr.  Kirtland,  in  1845,  states  that  Dr.  Engelman  of  St.  Louis 
examined  a  specimen,  5  feet  10  inches  long,  weighing  79  pounds. 
The  shovel  of  this  specimen  was  16%  inches  long  and  4  inches 
wide,  4  inches  from  the  tip.  He  further  states  that  another  example  taken 
at  the  same  time  weighed  "  more  than  90,  or  even  100  pounds." 

According  to  Mr.  Horace  Beach  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wisconsin, 
the  paddle-fish  is  not  uncommon  in  the  river  at  that  place,  where 
it  attains  a  maximum  length  of  somewhat  more  than  4  feet  and  a 
weight  of  30  pounds. 

The  young  of  the  paddle-fish  are  scarcely,  if  at  all,  known. 
Indeed,  we  have  never  seen  or  heard  of  an  example  under  6  or  8 


The  Paddlefish 

inches  in  length,  and  individuals  so  small  as  that  are  but  rarely 
seen.  Specimens  under  a  foot  in  length  are  very  greatly  desired 
by  naturalists. 

The  little  that  is  known  regarding  the  spawning  time  or  place 
of  this  fish  indicates  that,  in  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley,  the 
spawning  season  is  during  March  and  April,  while  in  the  Ohio  and 
northward  it  is  during  the  latter  part  of  May  and  June.  Among  a 
large  number  of  fish  examined  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  during  the 
third  week  in  May,  only  a  few  were  fully  ripe.  At  that  time  the 
fish  were  running  up  stream,  swimming  near  the  surface,  and 
evidently  seeking  their  spawning  grounds,  which  are  thought  to  be 
in  the  ponds  and  bayous  along  the  river.  At  this  time  they  are 
caught  in  seines  lightly  leaded  so  as  to  fish  the  surface.  At  other 
seasons  the  paddle-fish  may  be  caught  on  set-lines. 

Not  until  quite  recently  has  this  fish  been  regarded  as  possess- 
ing any  food  value.  True,  the  negroes  of  the  South  have  long 
held  it  in  high  esteem  along  with  the  channel  cat  and  the  goujon, 
but  it  is  only  within  the  last  four  or  five  years  that  it  has  had  a 
market  value.  It  now  finds  a  ready  sale  in  the  markets  and  at  a 
fair  price.  Its  flesh  is  firm,  like  that  of  the  sturgeon,  which  it 
resembles  also  in  flavor.  Indeed,  in  some  places  the  meat  of  the 
paddle-fish  is  smoked  and  sold  as  sturgeon. 

But  the  paddle-fish  is  valued  chiefly,  not  .for  its  flesh,  but  for 
the  roe,  which  is  made  into  caviar.  The  eggs  are  greenish-black 
in  colour,  about  three  times  the  size  of  shad  eggs,  and  very  num- 
erous. They  bring  a  high  price  and  are  said  to  make  a  good 
quality  of  cavian 

The  principal  centres  at  which  this  industry  is  now  carried  on 
are  along  the  Mississippi  River  in  Mississippi  and  Tennessee,  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky  and  at  Lake  Pepin. 

Head,  with  opercular  flap,  more  than  half  length  of  body;  head, 
without  flap,  £  length  of  body;  spatula  i  to  ^  total  length,  longest 
in  the  young.  Dorsal  fin  with  50  to  60  rays;  anal  50  to  65; 
ventral  45.  Opercular  flap  very  long  and  pointed,  nearly  reaching 
the  ventrals;  premaxillary  extending  to  beyond  the  small  eye;  gill- 
rakers  very  numerous  and  very  slender;  paddle  broad;  caudal  fulcra 
13  to  20,  of  moderate  size;  skin  mostly  quite  smooth,  a  few  small 
rhombic  plates  on  the  tail;  ventrals  near  middle  of  body,  the  dorsa! 
fin  well  behind  them;  anal  larger  than  dorsal  and  more  posterior, 
both  somewhat  falcate;  fin-rays  slender;  a  minute  barbel  at  each 
spiracle;  isthmus  papillose  in  the  young.  Colour  nearly  uniform 
pale  olivaceous  or  leaden-gray. 


THE  STURGEONS 

Family  II.     Acipenserida 

On  the  white  sand  of  the  bottom 
Lay  the  monster,  Mishe-Nahma, 
Lay  the  sturgeon,  King  of  Fishes. 

— Hiawatha 's  Fishing. 

BODY  long,  subcylindrical,  armed  with  5  rows  of  long  bucklers, 
each  with  a  median  carina  which  terminates  in  a  spine,  which 
sometimes  becomes  obsolete  with  age;  a  median  dorsal  series  and 
a  lateral  and  abdominal  series  on  each  side,  the  latter  sometimes 
deciduous;  between  the  rows  the  skin  is  rough  with  small  irregular 
plates;  head  covered  with  bony  plates  joined  by  sutures;  snout 
produced,  depressed,  conical,  or  spatulate;  mouth  small,  inferior, 
protractile,  with  thickened  lips;  no  teeth;  4  barbels  in  a  transverse 
series  on  the  lower  side  of  the  snout  in  front  of  the  mouth ;  eyes 
small;  nostrils  large,  double,  in  front  of  eyes;  gills  4;  an 
accessory  opercular  gill;  gill-membranes  united  to  the  isthmus;  no 
branchiostegals ;  fin-rays  slender,  all  articulated;  ventral  fins  with 
fulcra,  many-rayed  and  behind  middle  of  body;  tail  heterocercal,  the 
lower  caudal  lobe  developed,  the  upper  covered  with  rhomboid  scales. 

Large  fishes  of  the  seas  and   fresh  waters   of  northern   regions, 

most  of  the   species  being  migratory.  Two  genera  and  20  species 

are  known,    although    more  than    100  nominal    species    have  been 
described. 

a.   Spiracles  present ;  snout  subconic; Acipenser,  5 

aa.   Spiracles  obsolete;   snout  subspatulate; ..... .Scaphirhynchiis,   13 


GENUS   ACIPENSER    LINNAEUS 
The  Sturgeons 

A  small  spiracle  over  each  eye;  snout  subconic,  more  or  less 
depressed  below  the  level  of  the  forehead;  rows  of  bony  shields 
distinct  throughout,  the  tail  not  depressed  nor  mailed. 

Of  the  true  sturgeons  there  are  about  16  species,  of  which  5 
occur  in  our  waters. 

a.   Plates  between  ventrals  and  anal  fin  small,   in  2  rows,   of  4  to 
8  plates  each ; transmontanm,  5 


White  Sturgeon ;  Oregon  Sturgeon 

aa.    Plates  between  ventrals  and   anal   fin  large,   in  I  row,   or  in  2 
rows  anteriorly  and   i   posteriorly,    of  i  to  4  plates   each. 

b.  Space  between  dorsal  and   lateral  shields  with  rather  large  stel- 

late plates  in  5  to  10  series. 

c.  Shields  all  roughly  striated 'and  ridged;  colour  decidedly  greenish; 

medirostris,  7 

cc.  Shields  not  roughly  striated  nor  ridged;  colour  grayish ;  sturio,  8 
bb.  Space  between  dorsal  and  lateral  shields  with  minute  spinules  in 
very  many   series. 

d.  Last    dorsal  shield   of    moderate    size,    more    than    •£    the    one 

before  it ; rubicundus,    10 

dd.   Last  dorsal  shield  very  small,   less  than  £  length   of   the    one 
before  it ; brevtrostris,  12 

White  Sturgeon;  Oregon  Sturgeon 

Acipenser  transmontanus     (Richardson) 

Pacific  Coast  of  America  from  Monterey,  California,  north  to 
Alaska,  ascending  the  Sacramento,  Columbia  and  Fraser  rivers  in 
numbers  in  the  spring. 

The  white  sturgeon,  also  known  under  several  other  names, 
among  which  may  be  mentioned  Columbia  River  sturgeon,  Sac- 
ramento sturgeon,  and  Pacific  sturgeon,  attains  an  enormous  size 
and  is  one  of  our  largest  fishes.  The  largest  examples  of  which 
we  have  record  were  13  feet  long  and  weighed  1,000  pounds. 
These  were  taken  in  Snake  River,  Idaho,  whence  numerous  in- 
dividuals, weighing  100  to  650  pounds  each,  have  been  reported. 
Formerly  very  large  sturgeon  were  not  uncommon  in  the  Col- 
umbia River,  at  Grays  Harbor,  and  elsewhere  on  our  Pacific 
Coast,  but  the  average  size  of  'those  caught  now  probably  does 
not  exceed  5  feet  in  length  and  125  pounds  in  weight.  An 
example,  1 1  feet  2  inches  long,  was  2  feet  across  the  head,  and 
another,  35  inches  long,  weighed  7^  pounds. 

No  careful  study  of  the  habits  of  this  sturgeon  has  been  made. 
Until  recent  years  it  was  known  to  ascend  the  larger  rivers  of 
our  Pacific  Coast  in  great  numbers,  but,  owing  largely  to  destruc- 
tive methods  of  fishing  in  vogue  for  many  years,  the  species  is 
now  not  at  all  abundant. 

It  is  doubtless  true  that  the  white  sturgeon,  like  most  other 
sturgeons,  is  anadromous  in  its  habits,  living  ordinarily  either  in 
salt  water  or  in  the  river-mouths  except  at  spawning-time,  when 


White  Sturgeon ;  Oregon  Sturgeon 

it  ascends  the  larger  rivers  for  considerable  distances,  but  it  is 
also  true  that  some  individuals  remain  in  fresh  water  throughout 
the  year.  They  have  been  taken  in  Snake  River  in  Idaho  at 
least  from  March  to  October  inclusive.  It  is  said  that  they  appear 
at  Upper  Salmon  Falls  just  after  high  water  in  the  spring  and 
remain  until  winter,  if  not  longer.  They  are  most  plentiful  in 
spring  when  the  water  is  muddy. 

Very  little  has  been  recorded  regarding  the  food  of  this  stur- 
geon, though  it  doubtless  consists  largely  of  small  animals  and 
plants  which  are  sucked  in  through  the  tube-like  mouth.  Small 
fish  also  seem  to  form  no  inconsiderable  part  of  their  diet.  A 
young  sturgeon,  25  inches  long,  had  1 1  minnows  in  its  stomach, 
and  in  the  stomach  of  larger  examples  were  found  several  suck- 
ers, each  about  a  foot  in  length.  In  the  lower  part  of  the 
Columbia  River  the  sturgeon  are  said  to  feed  largely  on  sardines, 
smelts,  and  other  small  fish,  and  lamprey  eels  are  said  to  make 
excellent  sturgeon  bait. 

The  season  for  the  sturgeon  fishery  in  the  Columbia  River 
extends  from  April  to  November.  The  fish  are  caught  on  set- 
lines,  in  pounds,  and  to  some  extent  in  gillnets.  The  usual 
price  is  4  to  5  cents  a  pound  dressed,  while  the  roe  brings  25 
to  30  cents  a  pound.  The  fish  are  either  frozen  and  shipped 
East  or  the  flesh  is  smoked.  The  roe  is  made  into  caviar,  the 
manufacture  of  which  is  explained  in  connection  with  the  con- 
sideration of  the  common  American  sturgeon. 

Only  a  few  years  ago  the  sturgeon  of  the  West  Coast  were 
regarded  with  great  disfavour  by  the  salmon  fishermen,  who  were 
greatly  annoyed  by  the  sturgeon  getting  in  their  nets.  As  they 
had  no  commercial  value,  they  were  knocked  in  the  head  and 
thrown  away.  But  about  1888  their  value  began  to  be  appreci- 
ated, and  since  that  year  every  effort  has  been  made  to  obtain 
them.  The  catch,  however,  has  never  been  large,  and  the  stur- 
geon fisheries  of  the  West  Coast  are  now  quite  depleted. 

Head  4  in  length;  depth  7;  dorsal  rays  44  to  48;  anal  28 
to  30;  dorsal  plates  11  to  14;  lateral  36  to  50;  ventral  9  to  12. 
Snout  sharp  in  the  young,  becoming  rather  blunt  and  short  in 
the  adult  in  which  it  is  considerably  shorter  than  rest  of  head; 
barbels  rather  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  mouth;  gillrakers  abo 
26,  comparatively  long;  first  caudal  fulcrum,  above  and  below 


Green  Sturgeon 

enlarged  and  granular;  lower  lobe  of  caudal  rather  sharp  and  long, 
nearly   as   long   as   upper. 

Colour,  dark-grayish,  scarcely  olive-tinged,  and  without  stripes. 

Green   Sturgeon 

Acipenser   medirostris      (Ayres) 

The  geographic  range  of  the  green  sturgeon  is  approximately  the 
same  as-  that  of  the  white  sturgeon.  It  probably  does  not  occur 
much  south  of  San  Francisco  and  is  not  common  north  of  the 
Straits  of  Fuca.  It  is  not  so  abundant  as  the  white  sturgeon 
and  does  not  attain  so  large  a  size. 

Its  habits  do  not  differ  materially  from  those  of  the  white 
sturgeon.  As  a  food-fish,  however,  it  is  of  very  inferior  rank; 
indeed,  it  is  commonly  believed  to  be  poisonous,  but  this  belief 
is  without  any  warrant.  Its  flesh,  however,  is  dark,  has  a  strong, 
disagreeable  taste,  and  an  unpleasant  odour,  and  is  regarded  as 
quite  inferior  to  that  of  the  white  sturgeon.  In  the  Columbia 
River  it  is  said  to  reach  a  length  of  7  feet  and  a  weight  of  350 
pounds,  though  the  average  size  is  considerably  smaller.  In  the 
Sacramento  they  run  from  35  to  150  pounds. 

This  sturgeon  is  rarely  found  in  fresh  water,  but  is  practi- 
cally limited  to  salt  or  brackish  waters.  It  is  seen  about  the 
river-mouths  during  August  and  September. 

There  appear  to  be  no  regular  fisheries  for  it,  the  flesh,  bring- 
ing only  a  nominal  price,  and  the  roe  not  being  utilized  at  all. 

Head  4^;  depth  7^;  D.  33  to  35;  A.  22  to  28;  dorsal  plates 
9  to  1 1 ;  lateral  26  to  30;  ventral  7  to  10.  Shields  with  a  strongly 
hooked  spine,  the  surface  very  rough;  space  between  lateral  and 
dorsal  rows  of  shields  with  about  =>  series  of  stellate  plates  in- 
terspersed with  smaller  ones;  last  dorsal  shield  moderate,  more 
than  half  as  large  as  next  to  last;  snout  sharp  in  the  young, 
becoming  blunt  with  age,  usually  rather  shorter  than  rest  of  head; 
barbels  nearly  midway  between  tip  of  snout  and  mouth;  gillrak- 
ers  scarcely  longer  than  broad,  about  17  in  number;  upper  lobe 
of  tail  with  some  scattered  plates;  caudal  fulcra  not  enlarged; 
lower  caudal  lobe  short  and  blunt,  scarcely  more  than  half  length 
of  upper;  anal  fin  nearly  as  long  as  dorsal  and  mostly  behind  it. 

Colour,  olive-green,  with  an  olive  stripe  on  the  median  line 
of  belly  and  one  on  each  side  above  the  ventral  plates,  these 
stripes  ceasing  opposite  the  vent. 


Common  Sturgeon 


Common    Sturgeon 

Acipenser    sturio      (Linnaeus) 

The  early  records  of  this  country  make  frequent  mention  of 
this  sturgeon.  William  Penn  and  the  botanist,  Peter  Kalm,  were 
impressed  by  its  large  size  and  immense  numbers,  and  make 
frequent  reference  to  it  in  their  notes  and  letters.  As  late  as 
1820  thousands  of  this  huge  fish  might  be  seen  in  the  lower 
Delaware. 

Not  until  about  the  middle  of  the  century  just  closed  did  the 
sturgeon  begin  to  receive  attention  as  a  food-fish.  Mr.  John  N. 
Cobb  states  that  nearly  all  the  older  fishermen  of  the  Delaware 
River  say  that  in  their  boyhood  days  few,  except  coloured  people, 
ate  sturgeon,  though  occasionally  a  family  would  fry  a  few  steaks 
and  serve  them  with  cream.  The  roe  was  considered  worthless 
except  as  bait  for  eels  or  perch,  or  to  feed  to  the  hogs.  From 
3  to  4  cents  a  pound  were  the  best  retail  prices  that  could  be 
obtained  for  the  meat  and  usually  only  25  or  30  cents  could  be 
had  for  a  whole  fish.  About  1870,  however,  the  meat  of  the 
sturgeon  began  to  command  a  fair  price,  since  which  time  the 
price  has  greatly  increased  and  the  abundance  of  the  sturgeon 
has  decreased  proportionally.  In  1890  the  average  catch  of  stur- 
geon in  the  Delaware  River  was  60  per  net;  since  that  year  the 
decrease  has  been  gradual  and  rapid,  until  in  1899  the  catch  was 
only  8  fish  to  the  net.  The  total  catch  for  the  Delaware  River 
in  1890  amounted  to  5,023,175  pounds,  while  in  1897  (the  last 
year  for  which  complete  statistics  are  available),  the  amount  was 
only  2,428,616  pounds.  The  taking  of  the  roe  for  caviar  began 
in  this  country  as  early  as  1853,  and  the  smoking  of  sturgeon 
was  begun  about  four  years  later. 

In  the  sturgeon  fishery  gillnets  are  used  exclusively,  and  these 
are  always  drifted.  The  fishermen  go  out  2  or  3  hours  before 
slack  water  and  put  their  nets  overboard.  As  the  sturgeon  is  a 


Common  Sturgeon 

bottom  feeder,  the  net  is  weighted  so  that  it  sinks,  wooden 
buoys  called  "dabs"  attached  to  the  cork  line  by  means  of 
ropes  being  used  to  mark  the  location  of  the  net.  The  fisher- 
men drift  along  behind  their  net,  and  when  a  buoy  indicates  that 
a  fish  has  been  captured,  that  section  of  the  net  is  taken  in,  the 
fish  hauled  into  the  boat,  and  the  net  reset. 

The  sturgeon  is  taken  aboard  by  means  of  long-handled  hopks 
of  round  iron.  Though  of  great  size,  they  struggle  very  little 
when  gilled  or  when  being  brought  into  the  boat,  and  are  gen- 
erally rolled  in  like  a  log.  The  net  is  usually  fished  but  once  a 
day,  and  is  taken  up  at  slack  water,  •  the  fishermen  returning  to 
camp  with  the  ebb  tide. 

By  far  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  sturgeon  is  the  roe, 
from  which  is  prepared  the  very  expensive  commercial  product 
called  caviar.  The  manner  of  preparation  is,  briefly,  as  follows: 
After  the  eggs  have  been  removed  from  the  fish,  they  are  placed 
in  large  masses  upon  a  stand,  the  top  of  which  is  formed  of  a 
small-meshed  screen.  On  the  under  side  is  placed  a  zinc-lined 
trough,  about  18  inches  deep,  2  feet  wide,  and  4  feet  long.  The 
operator  gently  rubs  the  mass  of  eggs  back  and  forth  over  the 
screen,  whose  mesh  is  just  large  enough  to  let  the  eggs  drop 
through  as  they  are  separated  from  the  enveloping  membrane. 
They  thus  fall  into  the  trough,  from  which  they  are  drawn  off 
into  tubs  through  a  sliding  door  in  one  end  of  the  trough.  After 
all  the  roe  has  been  separated,  the  tub  is  removed,  and  a  certain 
proportion  of  the  best  Luneburg  salt  is  added  and  mixed  with 
the  eggs  by  careful  stirring  with  the  hands.  This  is  the  most 
delicate  part  of  the  whole  process,  and  the  best  results  can  be 
obtained  by  that  proficiency  which  comes  from  long  experience. 
After  adding  the  salt,  the  eggs  at  first  become  dry,  but  in  10 
or  15  minutes  the  salt  has  drawn  from  the  eggs  their  watery 
constituents  and  a  copious  brine  is  formed,  which  is  poured  off 
when  the  tub  becomes  too  full.  The  salted  eggs  are  then  poured 
into  fine-meshed  sieves  which  hold  about  10  pounds  each,  where 
they  are  allowed  to  drain  for  8  to  20  hours.  The  eggs  have 
now  become  the  caviar  of  commerce,  which  is  put  in  casks  or 
cans  of  various  sizes.  The  cask  usually  holds  135  pounds,  the 
price  of  which  has  increased  from  $9  to  $12  in  1885  to  $105 
in  1899. 

Head  j\\  depth   5!;    snout   2    in    head;   eye   very   small,   about 


Lake  Sturgeon 

14  in  head;  D.  38;  A.  27;  dorsal  plates  10  to  14;  lateral  27  to  29; 
ventral  8  to  1 1 .  Shields  not  strongly  striated ;  stellate  plates 
small,  in  about  10  rows,  with  smaller  ones  interspersed;  last 
dorsal  shield  more  than  half  length  of  one  before  it;  snout  rather 
sharp,  about  as  long  as  rest  of  head,  becoming  shorter  and 
blunter  with  age;  barbels  short,  not  reaching  mouth,  inserted 
nearly  midway  between  mouth  and  tip  of  snout;  gillrakers  small, 
slender,  pointed,  sparse,  not  longer  than  pupil;  lower  lobe  of  tail 
rather  sharp;  anal  more  than  half  as  long  as  the  dorsal  fin  and 
placed  mostly  below  it;  anterior  rays  of  pectoral  thickened.  Olive 
gray,  paler  below. 

Maximum  length  about  10  feet;  weight  500  pounds.  This 
is  the  common  sturgeon  of  our  Atlantic  Coast  and  coastal  rivers, 
and  ranges  from  Maine  to  South  Carolina.  It  is  most  abundant 
in  the  Delaware  and  occurs  in  some  numbers  in  all  the  larger 
streams  of  this  coast,  particularly  in  the  Hudson,  Susquehanna, 
and  James.  The  species  is  migratory  in  habit,spending  much 
time  in  salt  water  in  or  near  the  bays,  and  running  up  the  rivers 
to  brackish  or  fresh  water  at  spawning  time. 


Lake  Sturgeon 

Acipenser  rubicundus   (Le  Sueur) 

The  lake  sturgeon  is  found  as  an  inhabitant  of  the  Great 
Lakes  and  the  larger  rivers  connected  therewith,  Lake  of  the 
Woods,  and  many  of  the  Canadian  lakes.  It  was  formerly  abund- 
ant in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  and  is  still  found  in  some 
numbers  in  the  Mississippi  and  in  the  lower  portions  of  the  Ohio, 
Missouri,  and  its  other  large  tributaries.  It  is  now  perhaps  most 
abundant  in  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  where  the  annual  catch  in 
1894  on  the  United  States  side  amounted  to  1,059,267  pounds. 
Since  then  the  decrease  has  been  very  rapid,  until  in  1899  the 
catch  was  only  197,033  pounds.  Among  the  Great  Lakes  it  is 


LAKE   STURGEON.  Acipenser  rubicundus 


LAKE  STURGEON,  Acipenser  rubicundus 


Lake  Sturgeon 

most  abundant  in  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario  and  least  so  in  Lake 
Superior,  whose  deeper,  colder  water  is  less  favourable  for  its 
growth  than  the  more  shallow,  warmer  water  of  the  other  lakes 
named.  The  lake  sturgeon  is  the  largest  and  one  of  the  most 
important  fishes  of  the  Great  Lakes,  but  it  is  now  much  less 
abundant  than  formerly.  The  average  length  of  the  examples  now 
taken  is  less  than  5  feet,  though  examples  6  feet  long  have  been 
occasionally  taken,  and  rarely  individuals  9  feet  in  length  have 
been  reported.  The  average  weight  probably  does  not  exceed  40 
or  50  pounds,  and  about  100  pounds  is  the  present  maximum 
weight. 

It  delights  to  frequent  comparatively  shoal  water  where,  accord- 
ing to  Milner,  it  feeds  upon  the  smaller  gasteropods,  such  as  thin 
shelled  Physa,  Planorbis  and  Valvata,  and  the  more  firm  Limned 
and  Melantho.  Though  it  is  primarily  a  bottom  feeder,  it  is  known 
that  small  fishes  constitute  a  not  inconsiderable  portion  of  its  food. 
On  August  9,  1894,  Professor  A.  J.  Woolman  examined  the  stom- 
achs of  55  sturgeon  at  Garden  Island,  Lake  of  the  Woods,  of 
which  number  28  contained  one  or  more  crawfish,  6  had  insect 
larvae,  6  had  mollusks,  and  22  were  empty.  Among  the  miscel- 
laneous objects  found  were  a  fish-egg  in  one,  a  fish-vertebra  in 
another,  a  hazelnut  in  one,  and  gravel  in  eight! 

Head  3^-;  depth  5!;  eye  9  to  10  in  head;  snout  about  2; 
D.  35;  A.  26;  dorsal  shields  n  to  16;  lateral  shields  30  to  39; 
ventral  shields  8  to  n.  Body  rather  elongate;  snout  slender  and 
long  in  the  young,  becoming  quite  blunt  with  age,  when  it  is 
considerably  shorter  than  rest  of  head;  shields  large,  rough  and 
with  strongly  hooked  spines  in  the  young,  becoming  comparatively 
smooth  in  old  individuals;  skin  with  minute  spinules  in  many 
series;  ventral  shields  growing  smaller  with  age,  and  finally  decid- 
uous; anal  fin  f  length  of  dorsal,  beginning  near  its  middle. 


ti 


Short-nosed  Sturgeon 


Short-nosed   Sturgeon 

Acipenser   brevirostris      (Le    Sueur) 

The  short-nosed  sturgeon  ranges  from  Cape  Cod  southward  to 
Florida,  and  rarely  it  has  been  reported  from  the  coast  of  Texas. 
It  is  more  southern  in  its  distribution  than  the  common  sturgeon. 
Though  not  abundant  anywhere,  it  is  taken  most  frequently  from 
New  Jersey  southward.  Examples  are  occasionally  taken  in  Indian 
River  and  elsewhere  on  the  east  coast  of  Florida,  and  it  is  said 
to  be  not  uncommon  in  the  Suwanee  and  other  rivers  on  the 
Gulf  coast  of  that  state. 

This  sturgeon  is  much  smaller  than  the  common  sturgeon. 
The  largest  examples  seen  by  Le  Sueur  were  only  33  inches 
long,  while  the  largest  obtained  by  Ryder  was  but  23  inches.  It 
probably  does  not  attain  a  greater  length  than  3  feet,  and  seems 
to  be  not  much  used  for  food. 

Its  habits  so  far  as  known  do  not  differ  from  those  of  the 
common  species.  Its  colour  alone  is  usually  diagnostic.  The 
young  of  the  common  sturgeon  is  never  dark-coloured,  while  the 
characteristic  dirty  olive-green  or  brownish,  with  a  shade  of  green 
in  it,  is  always  seen  in  the  common  sturgeon  at  all  stages  of 
its  growth. 

Head  about  4;  depth  5^;  eye  9  to  10  in  head;  snout  about 
3^;  D.  41;  A.  22;  dorsal  shields  8  to  n;  lateral  22  to  33; 
ventral  6  to  9.  Body  elongate;  snout  very  short  and  obtuse, 
\  to  \  length  of  head;  barbels  short  and  simple;  skin  between 
rows  of  shields  with  many  rows  of  prickle-like  plates;  shields 
rather  large  and  smoothish;  anal  fin  about  half  size  of  dorsal  and 
wholly  below  it.  Colour,  dusky  or  even  dark  above,  paler  below. 
Length  2  to  3  feet. 


GENUS  SCAPHIRHYNCHUS  HECKEL 

Snout  broad,  depressed,  and  shovel-shaped;  caudal  peduncle 
very  long,  strongly  depressed,  broader  than  deep;  rows  of  bony 
bucklers  confluent  below  the  dorsal  fin,  forming  a  complete  coat 
of  mail  on  the  tail,  which  is  produced  in  a  long  filament  beyond 
the  caudal  fin,  this  longest  in  the  young;  gillrakers  somewhat 
fan-shaped;  no  pseudobranchiae. 

The  single  species  of  this  genus  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  United 
States,  but  others  closely  related,  forming  the  genus  Kessleria,  are 
found  in  Central  Asia. 


Shovel-nosed   Sturgeon 

Scaphirhynchus  platorynchns     (Rafinesque) 

The  shovel-nosed  sturgeon  is  known  only  from  the  upper  and 
middle  Mississippi  Valley.  It  is  probably  most  abundant  in  the 
larger  streams  of  the  Central  States,  especially  in  the  Ohio,  Illinois 
and  Missouri.  During  the  month  of  May  it  is  caught  in  consider- 
able numbers  at  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio.  At  that  time  it  is  run- 
ning up  stream  and,  as  it  then  swims  near  the  surface,  the 
fishermen  capture  it  by  means  of  seines  weighted  to  fish  the  top 
rather  than  the  bottom.  It  is  found  associated  with  the  paddle- 
fish  and  the  Ohio  shad,  which  run  at  the  same  time.  The  shovel- 
nose  is  also  taken  on  set-lines  baited  with  cut-bait  or  small  fish. 

According  to  the  books,  this  species  reaches  a  length  of  8 
feet,  but  we  have  never  seen  an  example  even  approximating 
that  size.  Numerous  specimens  examined  by  us  in  the  Wabash 
and  Ohio  rivers  did  not  show  any  exceeding  4  feet  in  total 
length.  The  average  length  of  62  individuals  examined  by  us  at 
Louisville  was  2  feet  and  the  average  weight  2\  pounds.  The 
largest  example  among  these  was  a  female,  28  inches  long,  and 
weighing  4^  pounds.  Examples  from  the  Wabash  River,  seen  at 

13 


Shovel-nosed  Sturgeon 

Terre   Haute,    were    i|  to  4   feet   long   and  weighed   only   3  to  12 
pounds! 

The  female  shovel-nose,  as  is  the  case  with  all  other  stur- 
geons, is  usually  considerably  larger  than  the  male.  The  flesh 
finds  a  ready  sale,  it  being  cut  into  steaks  or  smoked.  The  roe, 
however,  is  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  fish,  and,  though  the 
amount  furnished  by  a  single  fish  is  not  large,  it  is  highly  prized, 
it  being  made  into  caviar.  Not  until  recently  has  it  been  utilized 
for  this  purpose,  but  now  the  more  progressive  fishermen  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley  are  careful  to  save  the  roe  of  both  the  shovel- 
nose  and  the  paddle-fish,  as  well  as  that  of  the  common  lake 
sturgeon. 

Head  4;  depth  8;  snout  i^;  eye  very  small;  D.  32;  A.  20; 
dorsal  shields  15  to  20;  lateral  41  to  46;  ventral  n  to  13.  Body 
elongate,  tapering  into  a  slender,  depressed  tail,  which  is  extended 
beyond  the  caudal  fin  in  a  slender  filament,  very  long  in  the 
young,  but  usually  lost  in  the  adult;  bony  shields  opisthocen- 
trous  (i.  e.,  with  the  spine  behind  the  middle),  sharply  keeled, 
the  series  confluent  below  the  dorsal,  obliterating  the  smaller 
plates  between;  2  occipital  plates,  each  with  a  short  keel;  a 
preocular  spine  and  one  at  the  posterior  edge  of  the  "shovel"; 
a  few  spines  on  the  snout  in  the  young;  barbels  nearer  mouth 
than  tip  of  snout;  none  of  the  fulcra  enlarged;  dorsal  and  anal 
small;  the  anal  little  more  than  half  length  of  dorsal  and  entirely 
behind  it;  gillrakers  small  and  lamellate,  ending  in  3  or  4  points. 
Colour,  pale  yellowish  olive. 


THE   CATFISHES 

Family  III.      Siluridcz 

BODY  more  or  less  elongate,  naked  or  covered  with  bony 
plates ;  head  with  eight  barbels,  the  base  of  the  longest  pair  formed 
by  the  small  or  rudimentary  maxillary  ;  margin  of  upper  jaw 
formed  by  premaxillaries  alone;  opercle  present,  subopercle  absent; 
dorsal  fin  short,  above  or  in  front  of  the  ventrals ;  a  small  fatty 
or  adipose  fin  back  of  the  dorsal;  front  ray  of  dorsal  and  ventral 
spinous;  air-bladder  large,  and  connected  with  the  organ  of  hearing 
by  means  of  auditory  ossicles  ;  lower  pharyngeals  separate. 

The  family  of  catfishes  is  a  large  one,  the  total  number  of  re- 
cognized genera  being  more  than  one  hundred,  and  the  number  of 
species  nearly  one  thousand.  The  majority  of  the  species  are 
fresh-water  fishes,  inhabiting  the  rivers  of  warmer  countries,  par- 
ticularly South  America  and  Africa,  being  especially  characteristic 
of  the  Amazon  region;  only  a  few  species  are  marine  and 
they  are  mostly  tropical.  The  total  number  of  species  known 
from  North  and  Middle  America  is  one  hundred  and  eight,  of 
which  about  one-third  are  salt-water  species  belonging  to  the 
genera  Felichthys,  Galeichthys,  Sciadeichthys,  Aspistor,  Selenaspis, 
Netuma,  Tachysurus  and  Cathorops,  only  the  first  two  of  which 
have  species  on  the  United  States  coast.  In  the  fresh  waters  and 
on  the  coasts  of  southern  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  south- 
ward, are  about  a  score  of  species  of  the  genera  Rhamdia,  Pimelo- 
della  and  Pimelodus,  but  none  of  them  is  of  any  importance  either 
for  food  or  as  a  game-fish. 

In  the  United  States  and  Mexico  we  have  about  34 
species,  only  about  a  dozen  of  which  are  of  sufficient  importance 
to  merit  any  consideration  in  the  present  work.  Most  of  the 
others  are  small  species  known  as  stone-cats  or  mad-toms,  be- 
longing to  the  genera  Noturus  and  Schilbeodes,  characterized  by 
the  possession  of  a  poison  gland  at  the  base  of  the  pectoral 
spine,  and  by  the  connection  of  the  adipose  fin  with  the  caudal. 

Of  the  30  species  of  fresh-water  catfishes  occurring  in  the 
United  States,  all  but  4  are  confined  to  the  Atlantic,  Mississippi 
Valley  and  Gulf  States.  One  species  (Ictalurus  meridionalis)  is 
known  only  from  the  Rio  Usumacinta,  in  Guatemala;  another 


The  Catfishes 

(Ameiurus  dugesi)  is  known  from  various  parts  of  the  great 
valley  of  the  Rio  Lerma  in  Mexico,  a  large  stream  which  flows 
through  Lake  Chapala  into  the  Pacific  Ocean;  another  (Istlarius 
balsanus),  is  a  very  large  catfish  in  the  basin  of  the  Rio  Balsas, 
described  from  Puente  de  Ixtla,  in  Morelos,  Mexico  ;  and  another 
(Ameiurus  pricei),  from  San  Bernardino  Creek  in  southern  Arizona, 
also  tributary  to  the  Pacific. 

No  species  of  catfish  is  native  to  the  fresh  waters  of  the 
Pacific  Coast  of  the  United  States,  though  2  species,  Ameiurus 
nebulosus  and  Ameiurus  catus,  have  been  introduced  from  the 
East  and  have  become  very  abundant  in  the  Sacramento  and  San 
Joaquin. 

a.  Adipose  fin   with   its   posterior  margin   free. 

b.  Premaxillary  band  of  teeth  truncate  behind,  not  produced  back- 

ward  at  the   outer  angles. 

c.  Supraoccipital    bone    continued    backward    from    the    nape,    its 

notched  tip  receiving  the  bone  at  base  of  dorsal  spine,  so 
that  a  continuous  bony  bridge  is  formed  under  the  skin 
from  snout  to  base  of  dorsal;  tail  forked; Ictalurus,  16 

cc.  Supraoccipital  not  reaching  interspinal  bones,  the  bony  bridge 
being  more  or  less  incomplete; Ameiurus,  23 

bb.  Premaxillary  band  of  teeth  with  a  lateral  backward  extension 
on  each  side ; Leptops,  j  \ 

aa.  Adipose  fin  keel-like,  adnate  to  the  back  and  continuous  with 
the  caudal  fin ; Noturus,  33 


GENUS  ICTALURUS  RAFINESQUE 
The  Channel  Cats 

Body  elongate,  slender,  compressed  posteriorly  ;  head  slender 
and  conical;  mouth  small,  terminal,  the  upper  jaw  the  longer; 
teeth  subulate,  in  a  short  band  in  each  jaw;  dorsal  fin  high,  with 
one  long  spine  and  usually  6  rays  ;  adipose  fin  over  posterior 
portion  of  anal,  which  is  long,  with  25  to  30  rays  ;  ventral  fins, 
each  with  one  simple  and  7  branched  rays;  pectorals,  each  with 
a  stout  spine,  retrorse-serrate  within,  and  about  9  rays;  caudal 
fin  long,  deeply  forked,  the  lobes  pointed,  the  upper  the  longer. 
Colour,  pale  bluish,  lead  colour,  or  silvery. 

This  genus  is  confined  to  the  fresh  waters  of  North  America 
and  contains  four  known  species,  all  except  one  (I.  meridionalis, 

16 


The  Blue  Cat 

which  may  be  an  Ameiurus,  known  only  from  the  Rio  Usumacinta 
in  southern  Mexico)  being   important  food-fishes. 

a.  Anal   fin   very   long,    its  base   nearly   one-third   length   of  body, 

its  rays  3 1  to  33 ; furcatus,    \  7 

aa.  Anal  fin   snorter,   its   rays  24  to  29. 

b.  Cranial  bones   lighter,   the   supraoccipital    long   and    narrow,    its 

upper    surface    nearly    smooth; punctatus,    21 

bb.  Cranial   bones   heavy,    the   supraoccipital   broadly   triangular,   its 
upper  surface  finely  grooved ; anguilla,   22 


Blue  Cat  ;    Mississippi  Cat 

Ictalurus  furcatus    (Le    Sueur) 

This  is  the  largest  and  most  important  of  all  our  catfishes.  It 
is  found  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  Gulf  States  in 
all  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  and  bayous.  It  is  particularly 
abundant  along  the  lower  Mississippi,  and  in  the  Atchafalaya 
River  in  Louisiana,  from  one  to  two  million  pounds  being  shipped 
annually  from  the  latter  stream.  It  is  not  certainly  known 
whether  this  fish  is  distinct  from  the  large  catfish  of  the  Great 
Lakes.  The  blue  cat  attains  an  immense  size.  The  largest 
specimen  on  record  weighed  150  pounds,  and  was  caught  in  the 
Mississippi  at  St.  Louis.  Examples  weighing  80  to  100  pounds 
have  not  been  infrequent.  Very  large  individuals  are  not  often 
seen  now,  however.  Of  374  examples  weighed  and  about  2.000 
others  examined  at  Morgan  City,  Louisiana,  in  1897,  the  largest 
(a  ripe  female)  weighed  35  pounds,  but  the  average  weight  was 

17 


The  Blue  Cat 

only   a  few   pounds.     The  species   reaches   a    maximum   length   of 
five  feet. 

The  most  important  fishery  for  the  blue  cat  is  in  the  Atcha- 
falaya  River,  and  the  industry  centres  chiefly  at  Morgan  City. 
The  methods  of  the  fishery  are  interesting  and  merit  a  brief  de- 
scription. Ordinarily  the  fishing  season  extends  from  September 
to  May,  though  some  fishing  may  continue  throughout  the  year. 
Practically  all  the  fishing  is  done  with  ''trot  lines"  and  "brush 
lines."  The  length  of  the  former  may  vary  from  a  few  rods  to 
more  than  a  mile,  depending  upon  the  character  of  the  body  of 
water  in  which  it  is  set.  The  snoods  are  usually  18  inches 
long,  and  placed  3  feet  apart.  All  river  fishing  during  fall 
and  winter  is  done  at  the  bottom,  while  lake  fishing  is  at  the 
surface.  The  bait  used  is  classed  as  "live  bait"  and  "cut  bait," 
the  former  consisting  chiefly  of  fish  such  as  the  hickory  shad, 
mooneye,  etc.,  and  crawfish.  The  "shad"  are  the  best  bait,  and 
100  of  them  are  said  to  be  worth  200  or  300  crawfish.  Though 
the  crawfish  will  live  longer  on  the  hook,  the  "shad"  is  more 
tempting.  "Cut  bait"  consists  of  larger  examples  of  these  and 
other  fishes  cut  into  the  proper  size.  Eels  are  said  to  make  ex- 
cellent cut  bait,  but  are  hard  to  get.  Live  bait  is  most  used  from 
September  to  November,  inclusive,  November  being  the  best 
month.  It  is  preferred  to  cut  bait  at  any  time,  but  can  be  obtained 
in  quantity  only  in  the  fall.  Live  bait  is  used,  however,  whenever 
it  can  be  gotten,  and  occasionally  a  fisherman  is  fortunate  enough 
to  secure  good  supplies  during  the  spring  fishing. 

These  fish  are  influenced  in  their  movements  by  the  tem- 
perature of  the  water.  During  the  winter  they  come  farther  down 
the  river  where  the  water  is  warmest,  and  in  the  summer  they 
run  farther  up  stream  or  into  deeper  water.  During  the  spring 
rise  in  the  Mississippi  hundreds  of  square  miles  of  the  adjacent 
country  become  flooded,  and  then  the  catfish  leave  the  rivers,  lakes 
and  bayous,  and  "take  to  the  woods."  Here  the  fishermen 
follow  them,  and  "woods"  or  "swamp"  fishing  is  resorted  to. 
Short  "brush"  lines  with  single  hooks  are  tied  to  limbs  of  trees 
here  and  there  through  the  forest,  in  such  a  way  as  to  allow 
the  hook  to  hang  about  six  inches  under  water.  The  trees  selected 
are  usually  those  along  the  edges  of  the  "float"  roads,  and,  that 
he  may  readily  find  his  lines  again,  the  fisherman  ties  a  white  rag 
to  each  tree  to  which  he  has  attached  a  line. 

18 


The  Blue  Cat 

The  lines  are  visited  daily,  or  as  often  as  practicable,  and  the 
fish  are  placed  in  a  live-box,  where  they  are  kept  until  the  tug- 
boats from  Morgan  City  make  their  regular  collecting  trips. 
Then  they  are  transferred  to  the  very  large  live-boxes  or  cars 
carried  in  tow  by  the  tugs,  and  are  taken  to  Morgan  City,  where 
the  fish  are  dressed,  put  in  barrels  with  ice,  and  shipped  to  the 
retailers  in  many  States  of  the  Union. 

In  spite  of  popular  prejudice  to  the  contrary,  the  flesh  of  this 
catfish  is  of  excellent  quality,  firm  and  flaky,  of  very  delicious 
flavour,  nutritious  in  a  high  degree,  and  always  commanding  a  fair 
price.  Of  all  the  catfishes  it  is  the  one  most  deserving  of  cultiva- 
tion and  popular  favour,  and  which  could  with  profit  be  introduced 
into  other  countries.  This,  however,  would  probably  not  meet 
with  the  approval  of  Punch,  if  we  may  judge  by  the  following 
protest  printed  in  that  periodical,  apropos  the  proposed  introduction 
of  the  catfish  into  England. 

"  Oh,  do  not  bring  the  Catfish  here! 
The  Catfish  is  a  name  I  fear. 

Oh,  spare  each  stream  and  spring, 
The  Kennet  swift,  the  Wandle  clear, 
The  lake,  the  loch,  the  broad,  the  mere, 
From  that  detested  thing! 

"  The  Catfish  is  a  hideous  beast, 
A  bottom-feeder  that  dofh  feast 

Upon  unholy  bait; 
He's  no  addition  to  your  meal, 
He's  rather  richer  than  the  eel; 
And  ranker  than  the  skate. 

"  His  face  is  broad,  and  flat,  and  glum; 
He's  like  some  monstrous  miller's  thumb; 

He's  bearded  like  the  pard. 
Beholding  him  the  grayling  flee, 
The  trout  take  refuge  in  the  sea, 

The  gudgeons  go  on  guard. 

"  He  grows  into  a  startling  size; 
The  British  matron  'twould  surprise 
And  raise  her  burning  blush 

19 


The  Blue  Cat 

To  see  white  catfish  as  large  as  man, 
Through  what  the  bards  call  'water  wan,' 
Come  with  an  ugly  rush! 

"  They  say  the  Catfish  climbs  the  trees, 
And  robs  the  roosts,  and  down  the  breeze 

Prolongs  his  catterwaul. 
Oh,  leave  him  in  his  western  flood 
Where  the  Mississippi  churns  the  mud; 

Don't  bring  him  here  at  all!  " 

The  spawning  season  of  the  blue  cat  in  Louisiana  is  during 
the  months  of  April  and  May.  Out  of  374  fish  examined  at 
Morgan  City,  Louisiana,  April  22-24,  more  than  94  per  cent,  were 
spent  fish  or  fish  ready  to  spawn. 

In  Louisiana  this,  the  most  valuable  of  all  our  catfishes,  is 
known  as  the  blue  cat  or  poisson  bleu.  Elsewhere  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley  it  is  the  Mississippi  cat,  the  great  forktailed 
cat  01  chucklehead  cat.  Whether  the  names  Florida  cat,  flannel- 
mouth  cat,  etc.,  apply  to  this  species  is  not  certain,  as  the  blue 
cat  and  the  large  northern  catfish  (Ameiurus  lacustris)  have  not 
been  clearly  differentiated. 

Head  4  to  4%  in  length  of  body  ;  depth  4  to  5;  D.I,  6; 
A.  32  ;  distance  from  tip  of  snout  to  origin  of  dorsal  fin  2|  in 
body;  greatest  width  of  head  i£  in  its  length;  interorbital  width 
2,  equalling  width  of  mouth  ;  maxillary  barbel  not  reaching  beyond 
head;  humeral  process  about  ^  length  of  pectoral  spine;  anal  base 
nearly  £  longer  than  head,  or  \  length  of  body  ;  head  small; 
mouth  narrow;  eye  small,  wholly  anterior,  the  middle  of  the  head 
being  behind  its  posterior  margin;  dorsal  a  little  nearer  snout  than 
adipose  fin;  caudal  deeply  forked,  the  upper  lobe  usually  longer 
and  narrower  than  the  lower.  Colour,  dull  olivaceous  blue  or 
slaty,  pale  or  whitish  below,  without  spots  anywhere;  barbels 
usually  the  colour  of  the  body,  rarely  black. 


The  Channel  Cat 


Channel   Cat;    Spotted  Cat 

Ictalurus  punctatus      (Rafinesque) 

Rivers  of  the  Great  Lakes  region  and  the  Mississippi  Valley, 
and  streams  tributary  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  ;  generally  abundant 
in  the  channels  of  the  larger  streams,  especially  southwestward. 

The  channel  cat  has  frequently  been  confused  with  the  pre- 
ceding species,  and  its  geographic  distribution  and  size  have  not 
been  definitely  made  out.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  while  the 
blue  cat  is  a  fish  of  sluggish  waters  and  the  lowlands,  the 
channel  cat  prefers  the  flowing  water  of  the  clearer,  purer 
streams.  It  does  not  reach  so  great  a  size  as  the  blue  cat  ;  the 
largest  the  writers  have  seen  was  about  2  feet  long.  It  is  doubtful  if 
this  species  exceeds  25  or  30  pounds  in  weight. 

It  is  not  nearly  so  abundant  as  the  blue  cat  in  the  Atchafalaya 
River  and  elsewhere  in  the  South,  but  in  the  Wabash,  the 
Tennessee,  Cumberland  and  Gasconade,  it  is  the  more  common 
species. 

The  manner  of  its  capture  is  the  same  as  for  the  blue  cat. 

It  is  a  trimmer,  more  active  fish  than  any  of  the  related 
species,  and,  living  as  it  does  in  clearer,  more  swiftly-flowing 
water,  it  is  more  cleanly  in  its  habits,  and  its  flesh  is  rather 
firmer,  more  flaky,  and  possibly  somewhat  better  in  flavour  than 
is  that  of  any  other  catfish. 

The  spawning  time  in  the  South  begins  in  early  April,  while 
in  the  Wabash  it  is  in  June. 

Head  4  in  length  of  body;  depth  5;  body  long  and  slender, 
the  back  little  elevated;  A.  25  to  30;  head  rather  small,  narrow, 


The  Eel  Cat 

and  convex  above,  so  that  the  eye  is  little  nearer  the  upper  than 
the  lower  outline;  eye  moderate,  the  posterior  edge  of  the  orbit 
at  middle  point  of  head;  mouth  small  and  narrow;  barbels  long, 
that  on  maxillary  usually  reaching  beyond  gill-opening;  spines 
long;  humeral  process  long  and  slender,  more  than  half  length  of 
pectoral  spine,  which  is  strongly  serrate  behind.  Colour,  light 
olivaceous  or  bluish  above,  paler  on  sides,  the  belly  white  or 
silvery  ;  sides  usually,  perhaps  always,  with  irregular,  small, 
round  blackish  spots;  fins  often  with  dark  edgings. 


Eel   Cat;    Willow  Cat 

Ictalurus  anguilla  Evermann  &  Kendall 

This  interesting  catfish  was  originally  described  from  the 
Atchafalaya  River,  but  has  since  been  seen  by  us  in  the  Ohio  at 
Louisville.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  a  very  common  species,  not 
more  than  thirty  examples  having  as  yet  been  noted.  It  is,  how- 
ever, well  known  to  the  Atchafalaya  fishermen,  by  whom  it  is 
prized  equally  with  the  blue  and  channel  cats.  Its  spawning  time 
in  Louisiana  is  in  April  and  May. 

Head  4;  depth  4.5;  eye  7;  snout  2.8;  maxillary  (without 
barbel)  3;  free  portion  of  maxillary  barbel  longer  than  head;  D. 
I,  6;  A.  24;  vertebrae  42;  dorsal  spine  2  in  head;  pectoral  spine 
2;  width  of  mouth  2.  Head  large,  broad  and  heavy;  mouth  un- 
usually broad;  cheeks  and  postocular  portion  of  top  of  head  very 
prominent  ;  interorbital  space  flat;  body  stout,  compressed  pos- 
teriorly, back  scarcely  elevated ;  base  of  dorsal  3.5  in  head;  longest 
dorsal  ray  1.75  in  head;  dorsal  spine  strong,  entire  on  both  sides; 
pectoral  spine  strong,  entire  in  front,  a  series  of  strong  retrorse 
serrse  behind  ;  humeral  process  2.2  in  pectoral  spine  ;  ventrals 


The  Bullheads 

barely  reaching  anal;  caudal  moderately  forked.  Colour,  uniform 
pale-yellowish  or  olivaceous,  no  spots  anywhere.  Length  18 
inches  or  less;  weight,  3  to  5  pounds. 

There  is  a  fourth  species  of  this  genus  in  American  waters — 
/.  meridionalis,  known  only  from  the  Rio  Usumacinta,  in 
southern  Mexico,  but  nothing  is  known  of  its  game  or 
food  qualities,  nor  is  it  certain  that  the  species  is  not,  like  Am- 
eiurus  dugesi,  a  fork-tailed  Ameiurus. 


GENUS   AMEIURUS    RAFINESQUE 
The   Bullheads 

Body  rather  stout,  the  caudal  peduncle  much  compressed  ; 
head  large  and  wide;  mouth  \arge,  the  upper  jaw  usually  the 
longer;  teeth  in  broad  bands  on  the  premaxillaries  and  dentaries; 
band  on  upper  jaw  convex  in  front,  of  uniform  width,  and 
without  backward  prolongation  at  angle;  anal  fin  of  varying 
length,  with  15  to  35  rays;  caudal  fin  truncate  in  most  species, 
forked  in  some. 

Species  several,  swarming  in  every  pond  and  sluggish  stream 
in  the  Eastern  United  States  and  the  Mississippi  Valley;  one  or  more 
species  introduced  on  our  Pacific  Coast,  where  they  are  now 
abundant;  one  species  occurring  in  China.  The  species  are  very 
variable  and  not  easy  to  identify.  The  lack  of  connection  between 
the  supraoccipital  and  the  interspinal  buckler  is  the  only  charac- 
teristic by  which  this  genus  can  be  separated  from  Ictalurus. 

Most  of  the  species  are  small,  but  they  all  possess  a  certain 
food  value  and  some  reach  a  large  size.  The  species  may  be 
distinguished  by  means  of  the  following  key  : 

a.  Caudal  fin   lunate   or  forked. 

b.  Anal   rays    25   to   35 lacustris,  24 

bb.  Anal   rays    19   to   24  ; catus,  25 

aa.  Caudal   fin   entire,  truncate,  or   slightly   emarginate  behind. 

c.  Anal  fin   long,  of  23   to   27  rays   (counting  rudiments),  its  base 

more  than  \  body ; natalis,  25 

23 


The  Great  Lakes  Catfish 

cc.  Anal  fin   moderate,  or  short,  of  15  to  22  rays,  its  base  4  to  5 

in   body.  • 

d.  Lower  jaw    projecting  ; -vulgaris,  26 

dd.  Lower  jaw   not   projecting. 

<?.  Body   rather    robust,    the   depth   in   adult  3^-  to    4^    in    length  ; 

head   not   very   flat. 
/.  Pectoral  spine   long,  2   to   2^- in   head;   anal   rays   more  than  20; 

nebulosus,  26 

ff.  Pectoral  spine  short,  z\  to  3  in  head;   anal   short,  its   rays  only 

17  to    19,   counting    rudiments  ; melas,  30 

ee.  Body  slender  and  low,  varying  with  age,  the  depth   5^  to  8  in 

length;  head  in  adult  broad  and  very  flat; — platycephalus,  31 

Great    Lakes   Catfish 

Ameiurus  lacustris  (Walbaum) 

Arctic  America  and  southward,  in  the  Great  Lakes  and  else- 
where. The  Southern  habitat  (Florida,  Louisiana)  currently  assigned 
to  this  species  has  resulted  from  a  confusion  of  this  species 
with  the  blue  cat  (Ictalurus  furcatus),  and  it  is  not  certain  just 
what  its  range  really  is.  It  is  probably  chiefly  or  even  entirely 
confined  to  the  Great  Lakes  and  northward,  including  possibly 
the  upper  Mississippi. 

Nor  is  it  certain  what  size  this  species  attains.  Very 
large  individuals  have  been  seen  by  the  writers  in  Green  Bay, 
Wisconsin,  weighing  20  to  35  pounds.  The  large  ones  noted 
from  the  South  doubtless  belonged  to  the  blue  cat. 

At  present  the  best  that  can  be  said  is  that  this  species  is 
apparently  best  represented  in  the  Great  Lakes  and  that  it  there 
attains  a  weight  of  15  to  35  pounds.  It  is  a  fish  of  considerable 
commercial  importance,  and  is  usually  taken  on  set  lines.  It  is  espe- 
cially abundant  in  the  northern  part  of  Lake  Michigan.  In  the  lakes 
of  British  America  it  is  also  abundant  and  its  Indian  names  mean 
"ugly-fish,"  while  the  trappers  have  called  it  the  "land  cod." 

Head  4  in  length  ;  depth  5;  D.I,  5;  A.  25  to  32;  P. [,9.  Body 
rather  stout;  head  broad,  -£  its  length;  interorbital  width  more 
than  half  length  of  head;  width  of  mouth  2  in  head;  eye  moderate, 
wholly  in  front  of  middle  of  head;  top  of  head  quite  flat,  so  that 
the  eyes  are  much  nearer  the  upper  than  the  lower  surface;  bar- 
bels long,  the  maxillary  barbel  reaching  beyond  head;  humeral 
process  short  and  blunt,  about  \  length  of  pectoral  spine;  caudal 

24 


The  White  Cat;  Potomac  Cat 

deeply  forked,  the  upper  lobe  rather  longer  and  narrower  than 
the  lower;  origin  of  dorsal  a  little  nearer  snout  than  adipose  fin; 
anal  base  as  long  as  head.  Colour,  olivaceous  slaty,  growing 
darker  with  age;  sides  pale,  no  spots;  anal  dusky  on  edge; 
barbels  black. 

White   Cat;    Potomac   Cat 

Ameiurus   catus  (Linnaeus) 

Delaware  River  to  Texas,  most  common  in  the  coastwise 
streams  and  swamps,  especially  in  the  Potomac  and  about  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  and  .in  Florida.  It  has  been  introduced  into  California, 
where  it  is  becoming  abundant. 

As  a  commercial  fish  it  ranks  with  the  Great  Lakes  catfish, 
and  always  finds  a  ready  sale  at  fair  prices.  The  adult  fishes  are 
remarkable  for  their  wide  head  and  large  mouth. 

Anal  rays  19  to  22,  base  of  anal  4^  to  5  in  body.  Body 
stout,  slender  in  young,  the  head  very  broad  in  the  adult ;  barbels 
long,  except  the  nasal;  caudal  fin  deeply  forked,  the  upper  lobe 
the  longer;  humeral  process  extremely  rugose;  dorsal  fin  inserted 
about  midway  between  snout  and  adipose  fin.  Colour,  pale 
olivaceous  or  bluish,  silvery  below,  without  dark  spots,  but 
sometimes  mottled  or  clouded.  Length  2  feet  or  less. 

Yellow  Cat 

Ameiurus   natalis   (Le   Sueur) 

Great   Lakes    southward    to    Virginia    and    Texas. 

This  catfish  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  best  known 
fishes  throughout  its  range.  It  is  usually  abundant  and  extremely 
variable,  several  different  varieties  having  been  recognized,  all 
agreeing  in  the  long  anal  of  24  to  27  rays  and  the  squarely  cut 
caudal  fin. 

We  are  not  sure  that  Ameiurus  li-vidus,  the  common  yellow 
cat,  is  not  different  from  the  short  and  chubby  original  A.  natalis. 
We  have  seen  the  latter  in  the  United  States  National  Museum 
but  have  never  taken  it  in  life. 

The  yellow  cat  rarely  reaches  a  weight  of  more  than  a  pound 
or  two,  and  is  usually  not  distinguished  by  fishermen  from  the  com- 
mon bullhead  and  the  black  bullhead.  All  three  species  frequent 
similar  waters  and  all  are  often  found  in  the  same  stream  or  lake. 

25 


The  Bullpout;  Common  Catfish 

A.  24  to  27.  Body  rather  short  and  chubby;  head  short  and 
broad  ;  mouth  wide,  the  jaws  subequal.  Colour,  yellowish,  more 
or  less  clouded  with  darker.  Length  12  to  18  inches. 

Bullpout;   Common   Catfish 

Ameiurus   vulgaris    (Thompson) 

Vermont  io  Minnesota  and  Illinois,  chiefly  northward;  not 
rare,  although  by  no  means  the  common  species  as  its  name 
would  denote. 

This  species  closely  resembles  the  common  bullhead,  not  only 
in  structure  and  general  appearance,  but  in  habits  as  well.  It  is 
frequently  taken  in  Lake  Champlain  and  the  smaller  lakes  and 

ponds  of  that  region,  and  is  of  considerable  value  as  a  pan-fish. 

I 

Head  3^-  to  4;  depth  4^  to  5;  A.  20.  Body  moderately 
long;  head  longer  than  broad,  rather  narrow  forward;  mouth 
wide;  barbels  long;  profile  rather  steep,  evenly  convex,  the  dorsal 
region  more  or  less  less  elevated;  lower  jaw  more  or  less  distinctly 
projecting;  in  other  respects  scarcely  distinct  from  the  common 
bullhead  with  which  it  may  intergrade.  Colour,  dark  reddish 
brown  or  blackish.  Length  18  inches. 


Common   Bullhead;    Horned   Pout 

Ameiurus  nebulosus      (Le  Sueur) 

Head  3f  in  length  of  body;  depth  4  to  4^;  eye  7^-  in  head; 
snout  2^;  0.1,7;  A.  21  or  22.  Body  rather  more  elongate  than 
in  the  yellow  cat  or  in  the  black  bullhead;  head  heavy;  upper 
jaw  usually  distinctly  longer  than  the  lower  ;  humeral  process  more 
than  half  length  of  pectoral  spine,  which  is  rather  long;  dorsal  in- 
serted somewhat  nearer  adipose  fin  than  tip  of  snout;  base  of  anal 
fin  about  \  length  of  body.  Colour,  dark  yellowish-brown,  more 
or  less  clouded  with  darker;  sometimes  the  colour  is  quite  black. 
Length  a  foot  to  18  inches. 

This  species  ranges  from  Maine  westward  through  the  Great 
Lakes  to  North  Dakota,  and  southward  to  Florida  and  Texas.  In 
the  East  and  North  it  is  the  common  bullhead  or  horned  pout;  in 
Pennsylvania  it  is  the  Schuylkill  cat;  and  everywhere,  the  small 
catfish.  It  is  usually  abundant  in  every  pond  or  small  lake  and  in 

26 


The  Common   Bullhead ;   Horned   Pout 

many  streams.  It  has  been  introduced  into  many  rivers  of  the 
West, — particularly  the  Sacramento,  San  Joaquin,  Gila,  Humboldt, 
and  certain  small  lakes  of  southern  Oregon,  in  all  of  which  it 
readily  established  itself  and  is  now  exceedingly  abundant.  The 
species  is  quite  variable. 

While  this  species  does  not  usually  much  exceed  a  foot  or  15 
inches  in  length,  and  one  or  two  pounds  in  weight,  examples  are 
sometimes  taken  several  inches  longer,  and  weighing  4  to  6,  or 
even  7  pounds. 

"The  horned  pout,"  says  Thoreau,  "are  dull  and  blundering 
fellows,  fond  of  the  mud  and  growing  best  in  weedy  ponds  and 
rivers  without  current.  They  stay  near  the  bottom,  moving  slowly 
about  with  their  barbels  widely  spread,  watching  for  anything  eat- 
able. They  will  take  any  kind  of  bait,  from  an  angleworm  to  a 
piece  of  tomato  can,  without  hesitation  or  coquetry,  and  they 
seldom  fail  to  swallow  the  hook.  They  are  very  tenacious  of  life, 
opening  and  shutting  their  mouths  for  half  an  hour  after  their  heads 
have  been  taken  off.  They  spawn  in  spring  and  the  old  fishes 
lead  the  young  in  great  schools  near  the  shore,  caring  for  them  as 
a  hen  cares  for  her  chickens.  A  bloodthirsty  and  bullying  set  of 
rangers  with  ever  a  lance  at  rest  and  ready  to  do  battle  with  their 
nearest  neighbour." 

The  following  description  of  the  habits  of  the  common  bull- 
head, written  as  a  burlesque  by  George  W.  Peck,  gives  a  vivid 
and  truthful  idea  of  the  life  history  and  game  qualities  of  this  fish : 

"It  seems  that  the  action  of  the  Milwaukee  common  council 
in  withdrawing  the  use  of  the  water  works  from  the  fish  commis- 
sioners will  put  a  stop  to  the  hatching  of  whitefish.  This  is  as  it 
should  be.  The  whitefish  is  an  aristocratic  fish  that  will  not  bite 
a  hook,  and  the  propagation  of  this  species  is  wholly  in  the  in- 
terest of  the  wealthy  owners  of  fishing  tubs,  who  have  nets.  By 
strict  attention  to  business  they  can  catch  all  of  the  whitefish  out 
of  the  lake  a  little  faster  than  the  State  machine  can  put  them  in. 
Poor  people  cannot  get  a  smell  of  whitefish.  The  same  may  be 
said  of  brook  trout.  While  they  will  bit  e  a  hook,  it  requires  more 
machinery  to  catch  them  than  ordinary  people  can  possess  with- 
dut  mortgaging  a  house.  A  man  has  got  to  have  a  morocco  book 
of  expensive  flies,  a  fifteen-dollar  bamboo  jointed  rod,  a  three- 
dollar  trout  basket,  with  a  hole  mortised  in  the  top,  a  corduroy 
suit  made  in  the  latest  style,  top  boots  of  the  Wellington  pattern, 

37 


The  Common  Bullhead;  Horned   Pout 

with  red  tassels  in  the  straps,  and  a  flask  of  Otard  brandy  in  a  side 
pocket.  Unless  a  man  is  got  up  in  that  style  a  speckled  trout  will 
see  him  in  Chicago  first,  and  then  it  won't  bite.  The  brook  trout 
is  even  more  aristocratic  than  the  whitefish,  and  should  not  be 
propagated  at  public  expense. 

"  But  there  are  fish  that  should  be  propagated  in  the  interest  of 
the  people.  There  is  a  species  of  fish  that  never  looks  at  the 
clothes  of  the  man  who  throws  in  the  bait,  a  fish  that  takes  what- 
ever is  thrown  to  it,  and  when  once  hold  of  the  hook  never  tries 
to  shake  a  friend,  but  submits  to  the  inevitable,  crosses  its  legs 
and  says,  'Now  I  lay  me,'  and  comes  out  on  the  bank  and  seems 
to  enjoy  being  taken.  It  is  a  fish  that  is  a  friend  of  the  poor,  and 
one  that  will  sacrifice  itself  in  the  interest  of  humanity.  That  is  the 
fish  that  the  State  should  adopt  as  its  trade-mark,  and  cultivate 
friendly  relations  with,  and  stand  by.  We  allude  to  the  bullhead. 

"The  bullhead  never  went  back  on  a  friend.  To  catch  the 
bullhead  it  is  not  necessary  to  tempt  his  appetite  with  porter- 
house steak,  or  to  display  an  expensive  lot  of  fishing  tackle.  A  pin 
hook,  a  piece  of  liver,  and  a  cistern  pole  is  all  the  capital  required 
to  catch  a  bullhead.  He  lies  upon  the  bottom  of  a  stream  or  pond 
in  the  mud,  thinking.  There  is  no  fish  that  does  more  thinking,  or 
has  a  better  head  for  grasping  great  questions,  or  chunks  of  liver, 
than  the  bullhead.  His  brain  is  large,  his  heart  beats  for  humanity, 
and  if  he  can't  get  liver,  a  piece  of  tin  tomato  can  will  make  a  meal 
for  him.  It  is  an  interesting  study  to  watch  a  boy  catch  a  bull- 
head. The  boy  knows  where  the  bullhead  congregates,  and 
when  he  throws  in  his  hook  it  is  dollars  to  buttons  that  '  in  the 
near  future '  he  will  get  a  bite. 

"The  bullhead  is  democratic  in  all  its  instincts.  If  the  boy's 
shirt  is  sleeveless,  his  hat  crownless,  and  his  pantaloons  a  bottom- 
less pit,  the  bullhead  will  bite  just  as  well  as  though  the  boy  is 
dressed  in  purple  and  fine  linen,  with  knee-breeches  and  plaid 
stockings.  The  bullhead  seems  to  be  dozing  on  the  muddy  bottom, 
and  a  stranger  would  say  that  he  would  not  bite.  But  wait.  There 
is  a  movement  of  his  continuation,  and  his  cow-catcher  moves 
gently  toward  the  piece  of  liver.  He  does  not  wait  to  smell  of  it, 
and  canvass  in  his  mind  whether  the  liver  is  fresh.  It  makes  no 
difference  to  him.  He  argues  that  here  is  a  family  out  of  meat. 
'My  country  calls  and  I  must  go,'  says  the  bullhead  to  himself, 
and  he  opens  his  mouth  and  the  liver  disappears. 

28 


The  Common   Bullhead;  Horned  Pout 

"It  is  not  certain  that  the  boy  will  think  of  his  bait  for  half  an 
hour,  but  the  bullhead  is  in  no  hurry.  He  is  in  the  mud  and  pro- 
ceeds to  digest  the  liver.  He  realizes  that  his  days  will  not  be 
long  in  the  land,  or  water  more  properly  speaking,  and  he  argues 
that  if  he  swallows  the  bait  and  digests  it  before  the  boy  pulls  him 
out,  he  will  be  just  so  much  ahead,  Finally,  the  boy  thinks  of 
his  bait,  pulls  it  out,  and  the  bullhead  is  landed  on  the  bank,  and 
the  boy  cuts  him  open  to  get  the  hook  out.  Some  fish  only  take 
the  bait  gingerly,  and  are  only  caught  around  the  selvage  of  the 
mouth,  and  they  are  comparatively  easy  to  dislodge.  Not  so  with 
the  bullhead.  He  says  ir  liver  is  a  good  thing,  you  can't 
have  too  much  of  it,  and  it  tastes  good  all  the  way  down.  The 
boy  gets  down  on  his  knees  to  dissect  the  bullhead,  and  get  his 
hook,  and  it  may  be  that  the  boy  swears.  It  would  not  be  astonish- 
ing, though  he  must  feel,  when  he  gets  his  hook  out  of  the  hidden 
recesses  of  the  bullhead  like  the  minister  who  took  up  a  collection 
and  didn't  get  a  cent,  though  he  expressed  thanks  at  getting 
his  hat  back.  There  is  one  drawback  to  the  bullhead,  and  that 
is  his  horns.  We  doubt  if  a  boy  ever  descended  into  the 
patent  insides  of  a  bullhead  to  mine  for  limerick  hooks,  that 
did  not,  before  his  work  was  done,  run  a  horn  into  his  vital 
parts.  But  the  boy  seems  to  expect  it,  and  the  bullhead 
enjoys  it.  We  have  seen  a  bullhead  lie  on  the  bank  and 
become  dry,  and  to  all  appearances  dead  to  all  that  was  going 
on,  and  when  a  boy  sat  down  on  him  and  got  a  horn  in  his 
elbow  and  yelled  murder,  the  bullhead  would  grin  from  ear  to 
ear,  and  wag  his  tail  as  though  applauding  for  an  encore. 

"The  bullhead  never  complains.  We  have  seen  a  boy  take 
a  dull  knife  and  proceed  to  follow  a  fish  line  down  a  bullhead 
from  head  to  the  end  of  his  subsequent  anatomy,  and  all  the 
time  there  would  be  an  expression  of  sweet  peace  on  the 
countenance  of  the  bullhead,  as  though  he  enjoyed  it.  If  we 
were  preparing  a  picture  representing  '  Resignation, 'for  a  chromo 
to  give  to  subscribers,  and  wished  to  represent  a  scene  of  suf- 
ering  in  which  the  sufferer  was  light-hearted,  seeming  to  recog- 
nize that  all  was  for  the  best,  we  should  take  for  the  subject 
a  bullhead,  with  a  boy  searching  with  a  knife  for  a  long-lost 
fish  hook. 

"The  bullhead  is  a  fish  that  has  no  scales,  but  in  lieu 
thereof  has  a  fine  India-rubber  skin,  that  is  as  far  ahead  of 

99 


The  Black  Bullhead 

fiddle-string  material  for  strength  and  durability  as  possible.  The 
meat  of  the  bullhead  is  not  as  choice  as  that  of  the  mackerel, 
but  it  fills  up  a  stomach  just  as  well,  and  The  Sun  insists  that 
the  fish  commissioners  shall  drop  the  hatching  of  aristocratic  fish 
and  give  the  bullheads  a  chance." 


Black   Bullhead 

Ameiurus  melas    (Rafinesque) 

This  is  our  smallest  species  of  Ameiurus,  and  rarely  exceeds 
6  to  10  inches  in  length.  It  is  found  in  brooks,  ponds  and 
lakes,  from  northern  New  York  westward  to  Kansas  and  Nebraska, 
and  south  to  Texas,  and  is  usually  abundant,  especially  west  of 
the  Mississippi.  It  closely  resembles  the  common  bullhead, 
but  can  usually  be  easily  distinguished  by  the  smaller  anal  fin,  the 
light  rays  and  dark  membranes  of  the  anal  fin,  and  the  smaller 
size. 

Its  habits  are  essentially  those  of  the  related  species.  It  thrives 
in  small  ponds,  especially  in  those  with  muck  bottom,  and  on  this 
species  in  Wyoming  County,  New  York,  the  senior  writer  made 
his  first  experiments  in  fish-culture. 

Head  3!  in  length  of  body;  depth  ft  to  4^;  A.  17  to  19. 
Body  very  short  and  deep;  head  broad  behind,  rather  contracted 
anteriorly,  the  front  steeply  elevated;  pectoral  spine  short,  2\  to  3 
in  head;  base  of  anal  fin  short,  only  about  \  length  of  body; 
jaws  nearly  equal;  barbels  longer  than  head;  humeral  process  rather 
long  and  rough.  Colour,  almost  black,  often  varying  to  yellowish 

30 


The  Flatheaded   Cat;   Brown    Cat 

and  brown;   anal  rays  white,  in   marked  contrast  with  the  dusky 
membranes. 


Flatheaded   Cat ;   Brown  Cat 

Ameiurus  platycephalus    (Girard) 

Head  3^;  depth  5^  to  8;  A.  16  to  20.  Body  extremely  long, 
mesially  nearly  round;  head  low,  flat  and  broad,  especially  in  old 
examples,  its  width  3  to  5  in  length  of  body;  upper  jaw  strongly 
projecting;  dorsal  fin  high,  f  length  of  head,  its  spine  nearer 
snout  than  adipose  fin;  caudal  fin  emarginate.  Colour,  clear  olive 
brown,  varying  into  yellowish  or  greenish;  a  dark  horizontal  bar 
at  base  of  dorsal.  Length  15  to  18  inches. 

This  is  the  most  slender  species  of  the  genus,  and  is  almost 
entirely  herbivorous  as  to  its  food,  its  elongate  intestine  being 
usually  well-filled  with  water  plants. 

It  is  abundant  in  the  streams  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia 
from  Cape  Fear  to  the  Chattahoochee.  It  is  regarded  as  a  good 
food-fish. 


GENUS   LEPTOPS   RAFINESQUE 
Mud  Cats 

Body  elongate,  slender,  and  much  depressed  anteriorly;  head 
large,  very  wide,  and  depressed;  skin  very  thick,  entirely  con- 
cealing the  skull;  eye  small;  mouth  very  large,  the  lower  jaw 
always  projecting  beyond  the  upper;  teeth  in  broad  villiform 
bands  on  the  premaxilliaries  and  dentaries;  adipose  fin  large,  its 
long  base  over  posterior  half  of  anal;  anal  fin  small;  caudal 

31 


The  Mud  Cat 


oblong,  subtruncate,  with  numerous  accessory  rays,  recurrent 
above  and  behind;  pectoral  with  a  broad,  compressed  spine, 
serrated  on  both  margins,  and  with  a  prolonged  fleshy  integu- 
ment, obliquely  striated.  Only  one  species  known. 


Mud    Cat;    Goujon 

Leptops   olivaris   (Rafinesque) 

Body  slender,  depressed  anteriorly;  the  head  very  flat,  the 
lower  jaw  projecting;  barbels  short;  dorsal  spine  very  weak, 
half  the  length  of  the  fin;  caudal  slightly  emarginate;  anal  short, 
of  12  to  15  rays;  humeral  process  short.  Colour,  yellowish,  more 
or  less  mottled  with  brown  and  greenish;  paler  below. 

The  goujon  is  a  large,  coarse  fish,  said  to  reach  a  length  of  5 
feet,  and  a  weight  of  100  pounds.  A  ripe  female  examined  by  us  at 
Morgan  City,  Louisiana,  was  41  inches  long  and  weighed  46  pounds. 
This  fish  dressed  27  pounds.  Another,  38  inches  long,  weighed  37 
pounds,  and  still  another  37  inches  long  weighed  36^-  pounds. 

This  species  is  found  in  all  suitable  waters  throughout  the 
Mississippi  Valley  and  in  the  Gulf  States  from  Alabama  west  and 
south  to  Chihuahua.  It  is  a  fish  of  the  lowlands,  and  is  most 
abundant  in  the  lower  courses  of  the  large  streams  and  in  the  bayous 
and  overflow  ponds  of  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley.  It  is  perhaps 
most  plentiful  in  the  lowlands  of  Arkansas,  West  Tennessee  and 
Louisiana.  In  the  Atchafalaya  River  it  is,  next  to  the  blue  cat,  the 
most  important  food  fish.  It  is  caught  in  the  same  ways  during  the 
same  seasons,  and  is  dressed  and  marketed  in  the  same  manner.  Its 
flesh  is  of  fine  texture  and  of  exellent  flavour,  and  there  is  no  really 
good  reason  for  the  prejudice  against  it  which  obtains  in  many 
localities.  The  fact  that  it  is  a  large,  rather  repulsive  looking  fish,  not 

32 


The  Stone  Cats 

any  too  cleanly  in  its  habits  doubtless  has  somewhat  to  do  with  this 
prejudice. 

In  different  parts  of  its  range,  the  goujon  is  known  by  many 
vernacular  names.  In  Louisiana  it  is  called  the  goujon  or  yellow  cat, 
and  the  latter  name  is  in  common  use  throughout  most  of  its  habitat. 
In  the  South  it  is  known  as  the  "  pieded  cat,"  Opelousas  cat,  and  mud 
cat,  the  last  of  these  being  also  generally  used  in  the  North,  where 
it  is  also  called  granny  cat.  The  names  Bashaw  and  Russian  cat 
are  sometimes  heard,  but  their  origin  has  not  been  explained. 

The  goujon  is  more  voracious  than  the  blue  cat,  and  large 
individuals  are  apt  to  feed  upon  small  ones  of  the  latter  species 
when  confined  in  the  same  live-box.  To  prevent  this,  it  is  said 
that  the  fishermen  sometimes  sew  up  with  wire  the  mouths  of  the 
very  large  goujon.  We  have  seen,  on  the  Rock  Castle  River,  in 
Kentucky,  the  blue  cat  used  as  live  bait  on  hooks  set  for  the 
goujon. 

Occasionally  large  catfishes,  of  this  species  and  the  blue  cat, 
crawl  into  the  hollow  cypress  logs  which  are  usually  left  in  the 
water  until  ready  to  be  sawed.  The  catfish  may  be  unable  to  pass 
on  through  the  log,  and,  being  unable  to  turn  around  or  back  out, 
remains  in  the  log  until  it  is  placed  on  the  carriage,  and  the  pres- 
ence of  the  fish  is  then  discovered  by  the  saw  crashing  into  it 

The  spawning  season  of  the  goujon  in  Louisiana  seems  to  be 
during  April  and  the  early  part  of  May.  As  we  proceed  north- 
ward it  is  correspondingly  later,  being  as  late  as  June  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  its  range. 

"Don't  talk  to  me  o'  bacon  fat, 
Or  taters,  coon  or  'possum; 
Fo'  when  I'se  hooked  a  yaller  cat, 
I'se  got  a  meal  to  boss  'em." 

—  The  Darkey  and  the  Catfish. 


Teeth    as   in   Leptops,    the    band    in   the   upper   jaw   having  a 
backward  prolongation  on  each  side  from  the  outer  posterior  angle; 


33 


The  Stone  Cat;  Little  Yellow  Cat 

adipose  fin   adnate  to  the  back;  a  poison  gland  at  the  base  of  the 
pectoral  spine. 

This  genus,  which  contains  but  a  single  species,  is  close  to 
Schilbeodes  (the  mad-toms),  the  species  all  having  the  poison 
gland  and  the  adnate  adipose  fin,  and  all  being  small  fish,  lurk- 
ing among  weeds  in  stony  brooks. 


Stone   Cat ;    Little   Yellow   Cat 

Noturus  flavus   Rafinesque 

Head  about  4^  in  length,  its  width  5^;  depth  5f;  dis- 
tance from  snout  to  origin  of  dorsal  about  3  in  length;  A.  about 
1 6.  Body  elongate,  the  head  depressed,  broad  and  flat,  nearly 
as  broad  as  long;  middle  of  body  subcylindrical;  caudal  peduncle 
compressed;  a  strong  keel  on  back  between  dorsal  fin  and 
adipose  fin,  the  latter  deeply  notched;  dorsal  spine  very  short; 
pectoral  spine  retrorsely  serrate  in  front,  slightly  rough  or  nearly 
entire  behind,  its  length  \  distance  from  snout  to  origin  of 
dorsal;  caudal  rounded  behind;  humeral  process  very  short  and 
sharp. 

Colour,  nearly  uniform  yellowish  brown,  sometimes  blackish 
above;  fins  edged  with  yellow.  Length,  a  foot  or  more.  Great 
Lakes  region,  and  westward  and  south  to  Montana,  Wyoming 
and  Texas,  rather  common,  especially  westward. 

This  is  the  only  one  of  the  catfishes  with  adnate  adipose 
fin  attaining  sufficient  size  to  give  it  any  food  value.  Ordinarily 
it  is  used  as  food  only  in  those  regions  where  food  fishes  are 
not  numerous. 

Related  to  the  stone  cat,  are  in  America,  ten  or  a  dozen 
species  of  small  catfishes  belonging  to  the  genus  Schilbeodes,  and 
known  as  mad  toms.  They  are  all  very  small,  none  of  them  ex- 

34 


The  Stone  Cat ;  Little  Yellow  Cat 

ceeding  three  or  four  inches  in  length,  all  have  the  poison  gland 
well  developed,  and  are  able  to  inflict  a  very  painful  wound  with 
the  pectoral  spine, 

They  live  usually  in  shallow  water,  in  running  streams,  or 
lakes,  and  may  often  be  found  hidden  under  small  rocks  or  other 
objects  affording  protection.  The  species  of  Schilbeodes  occur  only 
in  the  Eastern  United  States  from  Vermont  to  Florida  and  west 
to  the  Dakotas  and  south  to  Texas. 

Istlartus  balsanus  is  an  important  food-fish  in  Morelos  and 
the  Mexican  States  to  the  Southwest,  through  which  the  Rio 
Balsas  flows.  In  size  and  appearance  it  resembles  the  channel 
cat.  In  Jalisco,  and  in  all  tributaries  of  the  Rio  Lerma  and  Rio 
Santiago,  Ameiurus  dugesi  is  very  common,  being  in  size  and 
value  as  well  as  in  appearance  similar  to  Ameiurus  catus.  The 
Mexicans  call  all  catfishes  Bagre.  Those  in  the  streams  are 
Bagre  del  Rio. 


35 


THE  SUCKERS 

Family   IV.     Catostomidce 

BODY  elongate,  usually  more  or  less  compressed;  head  rather 
conical;  opercles  normally  developed;  nostrils  double;  no  barbels; 
mouth  usually  greatly  protractile  and  with  fleshy  lips;  jaws 
toothless;  lower  pharyngeal  bones  falciform,  armed  with  a  single 
series  of  numerous  comb-like  teeth;  branchiostegals  3;  gill-mem- 
branes more  or  less  united  to  the  isthmus,  restricting  the  gill- 
openings  to  the  sides;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  fourth;  pseudo- 
branchiae  present;  scales  cycloid;  lateral  line  decurved,  sometimes 
absent;  head  naked;  fins  not  scaly;  dorsal  fin  comparatively 
long  (of  10  to  30  rays);  anal  fin  short;  pectorals  placed  low; 
ventrals  abdominal;  no  adipose  fin;  fins  without  true  spines; 
alimentary  canal  long;  stomach  simple  and  without  pyloric 
cceca;  air-bladder  large,  divided  into  2  or  3  parts  by  transverse 
constrictions. 

The  sucker  family  is  a  large  one,  embracing  some  15 
genera  and  more  than  70  species,  2  of  which  occur  in  Eastern 
Asia,  while  the  others  are  inhabitants  of  the  fresh  waters  of 
North  America. 

The  members  of  this  family  are  very  widely  distributed 
over  the  United  States,  there  being  scarcely  a  State  which  has 
not  several  species,  and  at  least  two  extend  their  range  far  into 
Canada  and  Alaska,  while  others  are  found  southward  into 
Mexico. 

The  family  includes  not  only  the  species  commonly  known 
as  suckers,  but  also  those  known  as  ledhorses,  buffaloes,  quill- 
backs,  and  freshwater  mullets.  Most  of  the  species  do  not 
exceed  a  weight  of  4  or  5  pounds,  though  some  of  them  reach 
an  immense  size. 

As  food  fishes  they  do  not  occupy  a  high  rank.  Though 
the  flesh  is  well  flavoured,  it  is  exceedingly  full  of  bundles  of 
small  fagot-bones,  which  are  very  troublesome  to  one  who 
attempts  to  eat  it.  The  great  abundance  and  the  large  size  of 
many  of  the  species,  howevei,  render  them  of  considerable 
commercial  importance,  thus  entitling  them  to  a  place  in  this 
work. 


The  Suckers 

None  of  the  species  has  any  rank  as  a  game  fish.  They 
rarely  or  never  take  a  hook,  except  on  set-lines.  The  methods 
employed  in  their  .capture  are  varied,  but  haul-seines,  gill-nets, 
pounds  and  other  traps,  and  set-lines  are  the  kinds  of  apparatus 
in  most  general  use. 

The  habits  of  all  the  species  ?re  much  the  same.  They  are 
all  bottom  feeders,  feeding  chiefly  upon  vegetation  and  the  less 
active  and  soft  forms  of  smaller  animal  life  such  as  worms, 
larvae,  and  eggs  of  various  kinds. 

They  are  all  spring  spawners,  and  nearly  all  have  the  habit 
of  running  up  stream  at  spawning  time.  Illinois  is  called  the 
"Sucker  State"  because  its  first  settlers  came  up  the  river  in 
the  spring  when  the  suckers  were  running. 

Only  the  genera  and  species  of  some  commercial  importance 
are  considered  at  length. 

a.  Dorsal    fin    long,     with     24    to    30    rays;     air-bladder      in    2 

parts. 

b.  Fontanelle   present;   body   ovate;   scales   large. 

c.  Mouth   large,    more   or   less   terminal,  protractile  forward.     Large 

species,  dark  in  color ; Ictiobus,  38 

cc.  Mouth  small,  inferior,  protractile  downward.  Smaller  species 

of  pale  coloration ; Carpiodes,  41 

bb.  Fontanelle  obliterated  by  the  union  of  the  parietal  bones; 

body  elongate ; " Cycleptus,  44 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  short,  with  only  10  to  18  rays. 

d.  Air  bladder  in   two   parts. 

e.  Lateral   line   complete;  scales   small,    55   to    115   in   lateral   line. 

f.  Fontanelle  nearly  or  quite  obliterated  in    adult;    jaws   with    hard 

sheaths;  posterior  division  of  air  bladder  slender;  Pantosteus,  45 
ff.  Fontanelle   broad   and  evident  at  all  stages  of  growth;  posterior 
division  of  air  bladder  broad. 

g.  Nuchal   region  without   a  hump,  the   interneural  spines  normally 

developed. 

h.  Mouth  small,  inferior,  with   thick  papillose  lips;.  .Catostomus,  46 
hh.  Mouth    very    large,    terminal,    oblique;    lips    thin    and     nearly 

smooth. 

i.  Gillrakers  simple,  fringe-like; Chasmistes,  54 

it.  Gillrakers  broad,    shaped  like   the   Greek   letter  ^  (delta),    their 

edges  entire  and   unarmed ; Deltistes,  57 

gg.  Nuchal  region  with  a  high,  sharp-edged  hump;.  .Xyrauchen,  57 
ee.  Lateral   line   interrupted    or  wanting;  scales  large,  40  to  50  in  a 

longitudinal   series. 

j.  Lateral  line  entirely  wanting; Erimy%on,    58 

;)'.  Lateral  line  more  or  less  developed,  especially  in  adult;  Minytrema,  59 

37 


The  Buffalo  Fishes 

dd.  Air  bladder  in  three  parts. 

k.  Mouth  normal,  the  lower  lip  entire  or  merely  lobed. 

/.  Pharyngeal  bones  moderate,  the  teeth  compressed,  gradually 
larger  downward ; Moxostoma,  60 

//.  Pharyngeal  bones  very  strong,  with  the  lower  teeth  much  en- 
larged, subcylindrical  and  truncate; Placopharynx,  64 

kk.  Mouth  singular,  the  upper  lip  not  protractile,  greatly  en- 
larged, the  lower  lip  developed  as  two  separate  lobes 

Lagochila,  65 


GENUS   ICTIOBUS    RAFINESQUE 
The  Buffalo  Fishes1 

Body  robust;  head  very  large  and  strong;  fontanelle  large, 
well-open;  opercular  apparatus  well  developed,  the  subopercle 
broad,  the  opercle  strongly  furrowed;  mouth  large,  terminal,  pro- 
tractile; mandible  strongly  oblique;  lips  little  developed,  the 
upper  narrow  and  smooth,  the  lower  full  on  the  sides,  but 
narrow  in  front;  pharyngeal  bones  rather  weak,  the  teeth 
numerous;  scales  large,  thick,  and  nearly  equal  over  the  body; 
lateral  line  well  developed,  slightly  decurved  anteriorly;  dorsal 
rays  numerous,  the  anterior  somewhat  elevated;  caudal  not  much 
forked. 

Large,  coarse  fishes,  usually  dark  in  colour,  inhabiting  chiefly 
the  larger  rivers  and  some  of  the  small  lakes  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley.  Only  four  species  known,  the  three  following  and  a 
fourth  from  Guatemala. 

a.  Mouth    large,     terminal,     protractile    forward;    lips    very    thin; 

lower   pharyngeals    and  'teeth    weak; cyprinella,     39 

aa.  Mouth  smaller,  more  or  less  inferior,  protractile  downward, 
and  with  thicker  lips;  lower  pharyngeals  stronger,  the 
teeth  comparatively  coarse  and  large. 

b.  Back  scarcely   elevated,    the  depth   3   to  3^-  in   length. 

c.  Mouth  rather  large  and  oblique,  approaching  that  of  /.  cyprinella, 

more   oblique    than   in    the  next ; urus,  40 

cc.  Mouth  small,    inferior; meridionalis,  41 

bb.  Back  elevated  and  compressed,  the  depth  z\  to  2f  in    length; 

bubalus,  41 


The  Buffalo  Fishes 


Common   Buffalo   Fish 

Ictiobns   cyprinella  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

This  species  reaches  a  length  of  3  feet,  and  a  weight  of  50 
pounds  or  more. 

In  certain  lakes  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  (notably  Lake 
Washington,  Minnesota  and  the  Okeboji  lakes  in  northwestern 
Iowa)  extraordinary  runs  of  very  large  buffalo  fish  occur  occasion- 
ally. These  runs  take  place  in  the  spring  at  the  spawning  time  of 
the  fish,  and  usually  at  the  time  of  a  heavy  rain  when  the  tribu- 
tary streams  are  full  and  the  connecting  marshes  are  flooded. 
Then  these  fish  come  up  from  the  lake,  in  great  numbers, 
crowding  the  inlets  and  spreading  over  the  flooded  marshes.  They 
remain  only  a  few  days,  and  soon  disappear  as  suddenly  and  mysteri- 
ously as  they  came;  but  their  brief  stay  has  been  long  enough 
to  permit  great  slaughter  by  the  farmers  of  the  surrounding 
country,  who  kill  great  numbers  with  pitchforks,  clubs  and  other 
primitive  weapons,  and  haul  them  away  irr  wagon  loads.  After 
returning  to  the  lakes  nothing  more  is  seen  of  them  until  the 
next  spring,  or  possibly  not  for  several  years. 

In  these  northern  lakes  these  fish  rarely  or  never  take  the 
hook,  nor  can  they  be  successfully  gilled,  but  in  the  lower 
Mississippi  Valley  they  are  frequently  taken  on  set-lines  baited 
with  balls  of  dough. 

In  Louisiana,  where  they  are  known  as  the  gourdhead  buffalo, 
they  are  of  considerable  commercial  interest.  The  flesh,  though 

39 


The  Buffalo  Fishes 

nutritious,    is    coarse  and    not   highly   flavoured.      This    species    is 
also  known  as  the   red-mouthed   buffalo,    and  big-mouthed  buffalo. 

Head  3^;  depth  2\  to  3^;  D.  27  to  29;  A.  9;  V.  10;  scales 
7-37  to  41-6.  Body  stout,  moderately  compressed,  the  outline 
somewhat  elliptical,  but  the  back  rather  more  curved  than  the 
belly;  opercular  apparatus  very  strong,  the  opercle  itself  nearly 
half  length  of  head.  Colour,  dull  brownish-olive,  not  silvery;  fins 
dusky. 

Black   Buffalo;    Mongrel    Buffalo 

Ictiobus    urus    (Agassiz) 

This  species  is  close  to  the  common  buffalo,  from  which  it 
can  be  distinguished  by  its  smaller,  more  oblique  mouth,  and  its 
much  darker  colour.  It  occurs  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley 
in  the  larger  streams,  it  being  most  abundant  in  those  of  the 
South,  where  it  is  said  to  spawn  in  March  and  April.  It  reaches 
a  weight  of  5  to  35  pounds,  and  resembles  the  preceding  species 
in  habits  and  food  value.  In  Louisiana  it  is  sometimes  called 
"chopper." 

Head  very  stout,  about  4  in  length,  strongly  convex;  depth 
3  to  z\\  eYe  about  equal  to  snout,  *>\  in  head;  D.  30;  A.  10; 
scales  8-41-7.  Body  much  less  elevated  and  less  compressed,  the 
head  thicker,  larger  and  less  pointed,  and  the  eye  much  smaller 
than  in  the  small-mouthed  buffalo;  back  not  at  all  carinated; 
axis  of  body  above  ventrals  about  at  the  lateral  line,  and  but 
little  farther  from  the  dorsal  outline  than  from  the  ventral;  mouth 
large,  well  forward,  considerably  oblique,  approaching  that  of  the 
common  buffalo;  mandible  longer  than  the  eye;  premaxilliaries 
somewhat  below  the  suborbital;  dorsal  fin  low  and  less  rapidly 
shortened  than  in  the  next  species,  the  longest  ray  scarcely  half 
as  long  as  base  of  fin;  anal  rounded,  its  rays  not  rapidly 
shortened,  the  middle  ones  not  much  shorter  than  the  longest. 
Colour,  very  dark,  the  fins  almost  black. 

Small-mouthed   Buffalo;    White   Buffalo 

Ictiobus  bubalus  (Rafinesque) 

This  is  the  most  abundant  and  best  known  of  all  the 
buffalo  fishes.  It  reaches  a  weight  of  35  pounds  or  more  and 

40 


The  Carp  Suckers 

a  length  of  3  feet.  It  is  found  in  all  the  larger  rivers  of  the 
Mississippi  Basin  and  in  some  of  the  small  lakes,  where  its 
habits  are  essentially  the  same  as  those  of  the  big-mouthed  buffalo, 
the  latter  species,  however,  being  less  ol  a  bottom  feeder  than  either 
of  the  two  others  here  described.  In  the  South  all  three  species 
spawn  in  March  and  April;  as  we  go  northward  the  spawning 
season  is  correspondingly  later,  it  being  in  May  and  June  in 
Minnesota  and  Wisconsin. 

Head  4;  depth  2\\  snout  3^;  eye  5;  D.  28  or  29;  A.  10  or 
ii ;  V.  10;  scales  8  or  9-35  to  39-5  or  6,  12  or  13  before  the 
dorsal.  Body  short  and  compressed,  the  dorsal  strongly  arched 
and  subcarinate  from  occiput  to  origin  of  dorsal  fin;  ventral  out- 
line only  slightly  convex;  head  small;  mouth  small,  subinferior, 
and  protractile  downward;  lips  papillose;  opercle  strongly  striate; 
caudal  peduncle  deep  and  compressed,  its  least  depth  if  in 
head;  axis  of  body  above  the  ventrals,  below  the  lateral  line, 
and  nearly  twice  as  far  from  back  as  from  belly;  fins  moderate, 
the  first  7  or  8  dorsal  rays  lengthened,  as  long  as  head,  rays 
of  short  portion  3!  in  head;  longest  anal  ray  i|;  pectoral  short, 
not  reaching  base  of  ventral,  if  in  head;  ventrals  longer,  i.i  in 
head;  caudal  deeply  lunate,  the  lobes  longer  than  head.  Colour, 
pale,  almost  silvery;  fins  scarcely  dusky. 

Ictiobus  meridionalis  is  a  southern  species  known  only  from 
the  Rio  Usumacinta,  Mexico. 


GENUS   CARPIODES  RAFMESQUE 
The  Carp   Suckers 

This  genus  is  very  close  to  Ictiobus,  the  species  being  smaller, 
the  colour  paler,  and  the  dentition  weaker,  but  there  are  no  im- 
portant technical  characters  separating  the  two  groups. 

Of  the  five  species  referred  to  under  this  genus,  one  occurs 
in  the  Potomac  and  Delaware  and  the  streams  about  Chesapeake 
Bay,  one  in  the  St.  Lawrence  basin,  and  the  other  three  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley  and  Texas.  Only  two  of  the  species  are  of 
any  commercial  value. 

a.    Body   subfusiform,    the  depth  about  3  in  length; carpio,   42 

aa.    Body  ovate.-oblong,  the   back  elevated,   the  depth   about  2\  in 
length. 

41 


The  Carp  Sucker 

b.  Opercles  strongly  striate. 

c.  Lips   thin,    silvery-white    in    life,    the    halves   of   the    lower    lip 

meeting  in   a   wide   angle,    as   in    C  carpio. 

d.  Head  large,  the  snout  blunt,   the   nostril  near  its  tip;   eye  large, 

3^  to  4  in   head difformis,   42 

dd.    Head  small  and   pointed,    the   snout   projecting;    eye   small,    5 

to   5!  in   head thompsoni,  42 

cc.    Lips  full,  thick,  reddish   in   life,   the   halves   of  the   lower  meet- 
ing at  an   acute   angle;  first  ray  of  dorsal  usually  very   long. 

velifer,   43 

bb.  Opercles   nearly   smooth;   otherwise  essentially  as   in  C.  velifer. 

cyprinus,   43 

Carp  Sucker 

Carpiodes   carpio    (Rafinesque) 

The  carp  sucker  is  the  largest  of  the  genus,  reaching  a  weight 
of  2  or  3  pounds.  It  occurs  in  the  Ohio  Valley  and  southward 
to  central  Texas,  but  does  not  appear  to  be  very  abundant  any- 
where. 

It  is  used  for  food  along  with  the  other  members  of  the 
family,  but  is  perhaps  inferior  to  most  of  them.  It  is  caught  on 
setlines  and  in  seines. 

Head  4  to  5;  depth  2f  to  3;  eye  4$-  in  head;  D.  30;  A.  7; 
scales  36.  Body  more  fusiform  than  in  any  other  species,  com- 
pressed, but  not  much  arched;  head  rather  short;  muzzle  short,  but 
projecting  beyond  the  mouth;  anterior  rays  of  dorsal  short,  and  not- 
ably thickened  and  long  at  the  base,  especially  in  the  adult,  the 
first  ray  nearer  muzzle  than  base  of  caudal  fin,  the  longest  ray  a 
little  more  than  half  base  of  fin;  caudal  moderately  forked. 

C.  difformis  is  an  unimportant  species  occurring  in  the  Ohio 
Valley  and  westward  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley.  It  closely 
resembles  the  quillback,  but  differs  in  the  character  of  the  lower 
lip. 

C.  tumidus  is  perhaps  a  distinct  species  found  in  the  lower 
Rio  Grande  and  southward. 


Lake  Carp 

Carpiodes  thompsoni  Agassiz 

This  fish  occurs  in  the  Great  Lakes  and  lakes  tributary  to  the 
St.   Lawrence.     It  reaches  a  considerable  size;   an  example  take 

42 


Eastern  Carp  Sucker 

in  Lake  Champlain  about  April  23  was  21  inches  long  and  weighed 
7  pounds.  It  was  a  nearly  ripe  female  and  the  roe  alone  weighed 
2.5  pounds. 

The  food  value  of  the  flesh  of  this  fish  is  essentially  the  same 
as  that  of  the  species  of  Ictiobus. 

By  the  fishermen  of  Lake  Champlain  this  species  is  known  as 
"buffalo,"  "carp  sucker,"  or  "drum." 

Head  4  to  4.5;  depth  2.5;  eye  small,  5  to  5.5  in  head;  D. 
27;  A.  7;  V.  10;  scales  8-39  to  41-6.  Body  short  and  stout, 
the  back  much  arched;  head  small,  the  snout  pointed;  lips  thin 
and  white,  meeting  at  a  wide  angle;  tip  of  lower  jaw  much  in 
advance  of  nostrils;  maxillary  reaching  vertical  at  front  of  orbit; 
scales  closely  imbricated;  dorsal  rays  considerably  elevated,  -f  as 
long  as  base  of  fin;  origin  of  dorsal  fin  about  midway  of  body. 

C.  velifer,  the  quillback,  spearfish,  sailfish,  or  skimfish,  is  a 
small  species  found  pretty  well  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
It  is  distinguished  from  other  species  in  the  same  waters  by  the 
produced  first  dorsal  ray  and  the  character  of  the  lower  lip  whose 
halves  meet  at  an  acute  angle. 


Eastern  Carp  Sucker 

Carpiodes   cyprinus    (Le  Sueur) 

In  the  Potomac  and  the  streams  about  Chesapeake  Bay  occurs 
C.  cyprinus,  the  Eastern  carp  sucker,  which  resembles  C.  uelifer 
except  that  its  opercles  are  smooth.  Neither  of  these  species  is 
of  much  or  any  food-value. 

43 


GENUS     CYCLEPTUS    RAFINESQUE 

This  genus  differs  from  Ictiobus  and  Carpiodes,  the  only 
other  genera  having  a  long  dorsal  fin,  in  having  the  fontanelle 
obliterated  by  the  union  of  the  parietal  bones,  and  in  the  very 
elongate  body.  Only  one  species  is  known. 


Gourd-seed    Sucker;    Blackhorse 


This  singular  and  interesting  fish  is  known  only  from  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  where  it  is  rather  common  in  the  larger 
streams. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  2.5  feet,  and  is  perhaps  more 
highly  esteemed  as  a  food-fish  than  any  other  member  of  the 
family.  It  is  usually  caught  in  seines  or  on  set-lines. 

Besides  the  vernacular  names  given  above,  it  is  also  known 
as  "Missouri  sucker,"  "sweet  sucker,"  and  "suckerel." 

'Head  6  to  8.5;  depth  4  to  5;  eye  6  to  7  in  head;  D.  30; 
A  7  or  8;  V.  10;  scales  9-56-7.  Body  unusually  long  and  slen- 
der, moderately  compressed,  not  much  elevated;  caudal  peduncle 
long;  head  very  small,  short  and  slender,  its  upper  surface 
rounded;  mouth  small,  entirely  inferior,  overlapped  by  the  pro- 
jecting snout;  upper  lip  thick,  pendant,  covered  with  several 
rows  of  tubercles;  lower  lip  moderate,  formed  somewhat  as  in 
Catostomus,  but  less  full,  incised  behind;  jaws  with  rudimentary 

44 


The  Mountain  Sucket 

cartilaginous  sheath;  eye  small,  behind  middle  of  head,  not  high 
up;  suborbital  bones  small  and  narrow;  opercle  smooth  and 
narrow;  isthmus  moderate;  gillrakers  moderate,  soft;  pharyngeal 
bones  strong,  the  teeth  rather  wide  apart,  increasing  in  size 
downward;  scales  about  equal  over  the  body,  with  wide,  exposed 
surfaces;  lateral  line  nearly  straight,  well  developed;  fins  rather 
large,  the  dorsal  beginning  in  front  of  ventrals  and  ending  just 
before  anal,  strongly  falcate  in  front,  the  length  of  the  first  and 
second  developed  rays  more  than  half  base  of  fin,  the  following 
rays  rapidly  shortened  to  about  the  eighth,  the  remaining  rays 
all  short;  caudal  fin  large,  widely  forked,  the  lobes  equal;  anal 
fin  quite  small,  low  and  scaly  at  the  base;  pectoral  long  and 
somewhat  falcate;  air-bladder  in  two  parts,  the  anterior  short, 
the  other  long;  sexual  peculiarities  marked,  the  males  in  spring 
with  black  pigment  and  the  head  covered  with  small  tubercles. 
Colour  very  dark,  the  males  in  spring  almost  black. 


GENUS   PANTOSTEUS    COPE 
The    Mountain    Suckers 

This  genus  resembles  Catostomus,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly 
in  having  the  fontanelle  nearly  obliterated,  and  in  having  a  more 
or  less  developed  cartilaginous  sheath  on  each  jaw.  The  species 
are  all  western,  chiefly  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  and  west- 
ward, mostly  in  rocky  brooks  in  the  arid  districts.  The  8 
known  species  are  each  of  rather  small  size,  and  scarcely  valued 
as  food. 


Mountain    Sucker 

Pantosteus  jordani  Evermann 

Pantosteus   ari^once    reaches    a    length    of    9    inches,     and    is 
known   only  from   Salt   River   at   Tempe,    Arizona.      T.  generosus, 

45 


Fine- scaled  Suckers 

known  as  the  mountain  sucker,  is  abundant  in  the  streams  in 
the  Salt  Lake  basin,  and  southwest  in  the  Sevier  basin.  It 
reaches  8  or  10  inches  in  length.  P.  plebeius  reaches  a  foot  in 
length  and  is  found  in  the  Rio  Grande  basin  and  southward  into 
Chihuahua.  It  is  very  common.  P.  delphinus,  the  blue-headed 
sucker,  attains  the  length  of  a  foot,  and  is  abundant  in  the  upper 
portion  of  the  basin  of  the  Colorado.  P.  gu^maniensis  is  known 
only  from  Lake  Guzman,  Chihuahua.  P.  jordani  grows  to  a  foot 
or  more  in  length,  and  is  found  pretty  generally  distributed  in  clear 
streams  in  the  upper  portions  of  the  Missouri  and  Columbia 
basins.  It  is  of  more  value  as  a  food  fish  than  any  other  species 
of  the  genus.  P.  arceopus  from  the  rivers  of  Nevada  and  the 
Kern  River,  California,  and  P.  clarhi  from  the  Gila  basin,  are  rare 
and  little  known  species. 


GENUS    CATOSTOMUS   IE  SUEUR 
Fine-scaled  Suckers 

Body  rather  elongate,  more  or  less  fusiform,  subterete;  head 
rather  long;  eye  small  and  high  up;  mouth  rather  large,  inferior; 
upper  lip  thick,  papillose,  protractile;  lower  lip  greatly  developed, 
with  broad,  free  margin,  usually  deeply  incised  behind,  so  that  it 
forms  two  lobes  which  are  often  more  or  less  separated;  opercle 
moderate;  pharyngeal  bones  moderate,  the  teeth  rather  short, 
compressed,  rapidly  diminishing  in  size  upward;  scales' small  and 
crowded  anteriorly;  lateral  line  nearly  straight  and  well  developed; 
origin  of  dorsal  nearly  midway  of  body;  anal  short  and  high; 
ventrals  inserted  under  middle  or  posterior  part  of  dorsal;  caudal 
forked,  the  lobes  nearly  equal;  sexual  peculiarities  not  marked, 
the  fins  usually  higher  in  the  male  and  the  anal  somewhat 
swollen  and  tuberculate  in  the  spring;  breeding  males  in  most 
species  with  a  rosy  or  orange  lateral  band. 

Species  about  20,  all  belonging  to  North  America  except  one 
(C.  restrains  TilesiusJ  which  is  said  to  occur  in  Siberia.  Our 
species  are  not  well  differentiated  and  are  difficult  to  distinguish. 

In  the  following  key  have  been  included  only  those  which 
are  of  commercial  value: 

a.  Head  transversely   convex   above,    the  orbital  rim   not   elevated; 
scales  in  lateral  line  60  or  more. 

46 


Flannel-mouth   Sucker 

b.  Scales   very   small,    much   reduced   and   crowded   anteriorly,   the 

number   in   lateral   line   80  to    115. 

c.  Upper   lip   broad,    with    5   or  6  rows   of  papillae. 

d.  Dorsal  fin   with    n    to    13   rays   and   very   high;     latipinnis,  47 
dd.   Dorsal  fin   with     10  to    12    rays   and    only   moderately   devel- 
oped ; griseus,   48 

cc.    Upper  lip  comparatively   thin   and   narrow,    with   2  to  4  rows 
of  papillae. 

e.  Scales   in   lateral   line  95   to    115; catostomus,   49 

bb.    Scales    small,    but    larger    than   in    the   preceding    group,    the 

number   in   lateral   line    56   to    75. 
/.    Scales   in    lateral   line   70  to  75;   lower  lip   broad. 
g.    Dorsal  fin   short,   of   11   to    13   rays;   head  small,    conical; 

occidentalis,    50 

gg.  Dorsal  fin  long,  of  about  15  rays;  head  large;. . .  macrocheilus,  50 
ff.  Scales  in  lateral  line  larger,  58  to  70  in  number;   lower  lip  with 

about  4  rows  of  papillae. 
h.  Mandible  short,    3$-  to   af  in   head;    upper    lip    narrow; 

commersonii,  5 1 
hh.  Mandible  longer,  3  to  3^  head;    upper  lip  broader;   ..ardens,  52 


Flannel-mouth  Sucker 

Catostomus  latipinnis  Baird  &  Girard 

This  sucker  is  known  only  from  the  Colorado  River  of  the  West, 
and  its  larger  tributaries.  It  is  said  to  be  quite  abundant  and  ascends 
the  rivers  in  spring. 

As  a  food  fish  it  is  of  some  importance,  particularly  to  the  Indians. 

Head  4f  ;  depth  5^;  D.  n  to  13;  scales  17-98  to  105-17. 
Body  elongate,  the  caudal  peduncle  long  and  slender;  head  rather 
slender,  with  prominent  snout  and  rather  contracted,  inferior  mouth ; 
outline  of  mouth  triangular,  the  apex  forward;  lips  very  thick,  greatly 

47 


Platte  River  Sucker 

developed,  the  lower  incised  to  the  base,  its  posterior  margin  extend- 
ing backward  to  opposite  the  eye;  tubercles  on  lower  lip  small 
behind;  jaws  with  a  slight  cartilaginous  sheath;  eye  small  and  high 
up;  scales  long  and  low,  posteriorly  rounded;  fins  greatly  developed, 
especially  in  old  males,  the  free  border  of  the  dorsal  deeply  incised; 
height  of  vertical  fins  in  the  male  greater  than  length  of  head;  origin 
of  dorsal  nearer  snout  than  base  of  caudal;  caudal  very  strong,  the 
rudimentary  rays  unusually  developed.  Colour,  dark  olive,  abruptly 
paler  below;  sides  and  fins  largely  orange  in  both  sexes,  the  anal 
and  lower  lobe  of  caudal  tuberculate  in  breeding  males.  Length  :* 
feet  or  less. 


Platte  River  Sucker 

Catostomus  griseus  (Girard) 

Upper  Missouri  River  basin,  particularly  abundant  in  the  Platte 
and  the  Yellowstone. 

This  species  is  close  tr  C.  catostomus,  apparently  differing  chiefly 
in  the  larger  mouth  and  the  broader  upper  lip. 

Head  4  in  body;  depth  5^;  D.  10  to  12;  scales  16-90  to  110-14. 
Body  long  and  slender,  subterete,  compressed  behind,  the  form 
essentially  that  of  C.  catostomus',  head  large,  the  interorbital  space 
broad  and  flat,  2\  in  length  of  head;  eye  small,  high  up  and  rather 
posterior;  mouth  large,  about  as  in  C.  latipinnis,  the  upper  lip  very 
large,  pendant,  and  with  5  to  8  series  of  tubercles;  lower  lip  incised 
to  base,  the  lobes  long;  horny  sheath  pretty  well  developed;  dorsal 
fin  not  long,  nor  especially  elevated,  its  origin  rather  nearer  base  of 
caudal  than  tip  of  snout;  caudal  long  and  strongly  forked;  anal  long 
and  high,  reaching  base  of  caudal  ;  ventrals  not  reaching  vent. 
Colour,  dusky  brown,  sometimes  with  a  dusky  lateral  band, 
sometimes  irregularly  mottled  or  barred;  snout  dark.  Length  i  to 
2  feet. 


Long-nosed  Sucker;  Northern  Sucker 

Long-nosed    Sucker;    Northern    Sucker 

Catostomus   catostomus    (Forster) 

The  long-nosed  sucker  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  family, 
reaching  a  length  of  2  to  2\  feet,  and  a  weight  of  several 
pounds.  It  is  found  from  the  St.  Lawrence  River  and  the  Great 
Lakes  westward  in  the  Upper  Missouri  basin  and  to  the  Upper 
Columbia,  thence  northward  to  Alaska;  the  most  widely  dis- 
tributed sucker;  but  probably  not  occurring  south  of  40°  north 
latitude,  except  in  West  Virginia  where  recently  obtained  by  Prof. 
W.  P.  Hay. 

In  the  Great  Lakes  and  northward  this  species  is  a  food 
fish  of  considerable  value.  It  is  usually  taken  in  hoop  or  trap 
nets,  or  gillnets. 

Its    spawning    time    is    in  the  spring,    in   most  localities  as 
early   as   May. 

Head  4^  to  4|;  depth  4^  to  6;  eye  6  to  8;  D.  10  or  n; 
A.  7;  scales  14  to  17-90  to  117-13.  Body  elongate,  subterete; 
head  very  long  and  slender,  depressed  and  flattened  above, 
broad  at  base,  but  tapering  into  a  long  snout,  which  overhangs 
the  large  mouth;  lips  thick,  coarsely  tuberculate,  the  upper  lip 
narrow,  with  2  or  3,  sometimes  4  rows  of  papillae;  lower  lip 
deeply  incised,  the  lobes  shorter  than  in  C.  griseus,  and  the 
mouth  narrower;  lower  jaw  with  a  slight  cartilaginous  sheath; 
eye  small,  behind  middle  of  head;  scales  very  small,  much 
crowded  anteriorly. 

Males  in  spring  with  the  head  and  anal  fin  profusely  tuber- 
culate, and  the  side  with  a  broad,  rosy  band. 


Sacramento  Sucker 


Sacramento   Sucker 

Catostomus   occidentalis   Ayres 

Streams  of  California,  especially  abundant  in  the  Sacramento 
and  San  Joaquin  rivers.  This  species  was  formerly  of  consider- 
able importance  to  the  Indians,  who  caught  it  in  great  numbers. 
It  reaches  a  foot  in  length. 

Columbia   River   Sucker  ;    Yellow  Sucker 

Catostomus  macrocheilus   Girard 

Columbia  River  basin  and  other  rivers  and  lakes  of  Oregon 
and  Washington,  generally  abundant;  not  known  from  the 
Snake  River  basin  above  Shoshone  Falls.  It  is  abundant  in  the 
Redfish  Lakes  of  Idaho  and  in  Flathead  Lake  of  Montana.  During 
the  spring  and  early  summer  it  is  found  in  the  streams,  but  in 
July  or  earlier  it  retires  to  deeper  water,  entering  lakes  when- 
ever opportunity  offers.  It  attains  a  length  of  12  to  17  inches, 
and  is  a  food-fish  of  considerable  importance,  particularly  to  the 
Flathead  Indians  and  other  Indians  in  the  regions  where  it  is 
found.  Its  flesh  is  sweet,  firm  and  flaky,  the  fish  usually  in- 
habiting cold  waters. 

At  the  Redfish  Lakes  in  Idaho  this  sucker  was  noticed  in 
August  and  September  toward  the  close  of  the  day  swimming 
about  in  great  schools  at  the  surface  of  the  water,  sometimes 
with  their  noses  projecting.  The  schools  would  gather  about 


Common    Sucker  ;    White    Sucker 

the  mouth  of  some  inlet  and  swim  slowly  about  in  this  way 
for  an  hour  or  more  just  at  sundown.  The  meaning  of  this 
particular  habit  has  not  been  explained. 

Head  4  to  4f;  depth  5;  eye  5  to  6  in  head;  snout  2;  D. 
12  to  14;  A.  7;  scales  12  to  14-65  to  75-10  or  n,  about  40 
before  the  dorsal.  Body  rather  heavy  forward,  the  caudal 
peduncle  slender;  snout  blunt,  overlapping  the  horizontal  mouth 
which  is  quite  large,  with  very  large  lips,  the  upper  full  and 
pendant,  with  6  to  8  rows  of  moderate  papillae;  dorsal  fin  much 
longer  than  high;  pectoral  long  and  narrow;  caudal  well  forked. 
Colour,  rather  dark;  a  dusky  lateral  streak;  abruptly  pale  below. 


Common  Sucker  ;   White  Sucker 

Catostomus   commersonii    (Lace'pede) 

This  is  the  most  abundant  sucker  in  the  streams  and  lakes 
from  Quebec  and  Massachusetts  westward  to  Montana  and  Colo- 
rado and  southward  to  Missouri  and  Georgia.  Specimens  from 
Montana  to  Colorado  have  the  lips  broader  and  with  more  numer- 
ous papillae. 

In  the  smaller  streams  this  species  reaches  a  length  of  but  a 
few  inches,  while  in  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  it  attains  a 
length  of  18  inches  or  more  and  becomes  a  food-fish  of  consid- 
erable importance.  Though  quite  bony,  its  flesh  is  firm  and 
flaky  and  very  sweet.  In  some  parts  of  the  country  this  species 
is  caught  in  large  numbers  and  salted  for  winter  use.  It  is  usu- 
ally taken  by  means  of  seines,  traps  or  gillnets. 

51 


Utah    Lake    Mullet 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  as  the  spawning  season  approaches, 
they  run  up  the  streams  in  great  numbers  and  spawn  upon  the 
riffles.  This  is,  in  most  parts  of  its  range,  in  May  or  June,  and 
the  fish  is  called  the  "June  Sucker." 

Head  4  to  4|;  depth  4  to  5;  eye  6  in  head;  snout  2^;  D.  12; 
A.  7;  scales  10-64  to  70-9.  Body  rather  stout,  varying  with  age. 
subterete,  heavy  anteriorly;  head  moderate,  conical,  flattish  above; 
snout  rather  prominent,  scarcely  overpassing  the  mouth,  which  is 
large,  the  lips  papillose,  the  upper  with  2  or  3  rows  of  papillae  (4 
to  6  in  western  specimens) ;  scales  small,  crowded  anteriorly,  larger 
on  the  sides  and  below.  Colour,  olivaceous;  males  in  spring 
somewhat  rosy;  young  brownish,  more  or  less  mottled  and  blotched 
with  dark. 


Utah   Lake   Mullet 

Catostomus   ardens   Jordan    &    Gilbert 

This  species  is  very  close  to  the  common  sucker,  differing 
chiefly  in  the  larger  mouth  and  lips.  Abundant  in  the  Snake 
River  basin  above  Shoshone  Falls  and  in  the  lakes  and  streams 
of  the  Great  Salt  Lake  basin.  It  swarms  in  myriads  in  Utah 
Lake,  "the  greatest  sucker  pond  in  the  world."  In  Heart  Lake  of 
Yellowstone  Park  this  fish  is  infested  by  a  parasitic  worm  (Ligula 
catostomi)  which  is  often  larger  than  the  fish's  viscera. 

Like  all  other  suckers,  this  species  is  a  spring  spawner,  and 
at  that  time  immense  numbers  are  said  to  come  into  the  shallow 

52 


Moogadee 

water   of    Utah    Lake,     Jacksons    Lake    and    other   lakes   which    it 
inhabits. 

This  species  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches  or  more,  and  holds 
rank  with  the  others  of  the  genus  as  a  food-fish. 

Head  3f;  depth  4|;  eye  small,  7  in  head,  j,\  in  interorbital 
width;  snout  2\  in  head;  D.  12  or  13;  A.  7;  scales  12-70  to 
72-12.  Body  rather  long,  little  compressed,  the  back  broad;  head 
broad,  conical;  mouth  entirely  inferior,  the  mandible  nearly  hori- 
zontal; upper  lip  wide,  full,  pendant,  with  4  to  8  rows  of  coarse, 
irregular  papillae;  lower  lip  very  broad,  coarsely  papillose,  cut  to  the 
base;  dorsal  fin  long  and  low,  its  anterior  rays  |  longer  than  the 
last;  pectorals,  ventrals  and  caudal  short;  anal  long.  Colour,  black- 
ish above,  paler  below,  the  fins  dark;  breeding  males  with  the 
sides  rosy. 

Besides  the  7  species  described  above,  12  others  of  less  im- 
portance are  recognized  as  occurring  in  North  America. 


Moogadee 

Catostomus  pocatello  Gilbert  &  Evermann 

One  of  these,   the  Moogadee  of  the  Fort  Hall  Indians  of  Idaho, 
is  of  some  food  value. 


GENUS    CHASMISTES  JORDAN 

Head  large,  broad  and  flattish  above,  the  sides  vertical;  eye 
small,  high  up,  and  rather  posterior;  mouth  very  large,  terminal, 
the  lower  jaw  in  the  closed  mouth  being  very  oblique;  lower 
jaw  long  and  strong,  more  than  half  length  of  head,  its  tip, 
when  the  mouth  is  closed,  about  on  a  level  with  the  eye;  upper 
jaw  very  protractile;  upper  lip  thin  and  nearly  smooth;  snout 
usually  elevated  above  rest  of  head;  the  premaxillary  spines  gene- 
rally forming  a  conspicuous  nose;  lower  lip  moderate,  consisting 
of  a  broad  flap  on  each  side  of  the  mandible,  reduced  to  a  nar- 
row rim  in  front,  the  surface  of  the  lip  nearly  smooth,  without 
papillae;  nostrils  large;  fontanelle  well  developed;  gillrakers  simple, 
fringe-like;  air-bladder  in  2  parts.  Species  of  rather  large  size, 
inhabiting  the  Great  Salt  Lake  Basin  and  the  Klamath  Lakes  of 
southern  Oregon. 

Six  species  are   recognized,    only   4   of  which    seem   to   be   of 
any  commercial  importance. 

a.  Scales   moderate,    60  to   65  in  the  lateral  line. 

b.  Scales  9-63-8;    dorsal   usually    n;    nose   prominent;    liorus,    54 
aa.    Scales   small,    75   to   85    in   the   lateral   line. 

c.  Snout  prominent,  premaxillary  spines  strongly  protruding,   form- 

ing a  prominently  projecting  snout; stomias,    55 

cc.    Snout  not   prominent,   premaxillary  spines    not  forming    a  pro- 
minent hump. 

d.  Scales    1 2-75- 1 1 ; brevirostris,    55 

dd.   Scales  13-80-12 ; •. .  copei,    56 


June  Sucker  of  Utah  Lake 

Chasmistes   liorus  Jordan 
Known  only  from  Utah  Lake,  where  it  is  exceedingly  abundant, 

54 


Short-nosed  Sucker 

contributing,  with  Catostomus  ardens,  to  make  that  lake  the  "greatest 
sucker  pond  in  the  world." 

Head  3-f;  depth  5;  eye  6  to  7;  scales  9-63-8;  D.  n;  A.  7;  inter- 
orbital  space  broad,  z\  in  head;  width  of  the  open  mouth  ^  in  head; 
dorsal  elevated  in  front,  its  longest  ray  twice  the  length  of  the  last  and 
about  equal  to  base  of  fin;  caudal  deeply  forked,  the  lower  lobe  the 
longer;  lower  fins  small.  Colour,  dusky  above,  pale  below;  back 
and  sides  profusely  covered  with  dark  punctulations.  Length  18 
inches  or  less. 

Short-nosed  Sucker 

Chasmistes    btevirostris    Cope 

This  species  is  known  only  from  the  Klamath  Lakes  of  Oregon. 
It  attains  a  length  of  12  to  18  inches  and  is  a  food-fish  of  some  value 
to  the  Indians,  who  know  it  as  the  "  Yen." 

Snout  2\  to  2f  in  head;  mandible  \\  in  snout;  interorbital  width 
2|  in  head;  D.  n;  A.  9;  scales  13-73-12;  premaxillary  spines  not 
produced  to  form  a  hump  on  the  snout;  lower  lip  fold  present  on  the 
sides  of  the  mandible;  each  lip  with  small,  inconspicuous,  sparse 
tubercles,  in  3  or  4  series  on  the  upper  lip;  ventrals  extending  f 
distance  to  vent;  scales  with  strong  concentric  striae.  Colour,  dark 
above,  silvery  on  lower  part  of  side  and  on  belly ;  fins  all  dusky. 


Klamath   Lake  Sucker 

Chasmistes   stomias  Gilbert 

This  is  another  species  ot  Chasmistes  inhabiting  Upper  Klamath 

55 


The  '1  swam 

Lake,  which  is  a  close  rival  of  Utah  Lake  for  the  honour  of  being  the 
"greatest  sucker  pond  in  the  world." 

It  is  the  most  abundant  species  of  the  genus  in  the  Klamath 
Lakes.  It  reaches  a  length  of  15  to  18  inches  and  is  of  great  value  to 
the  Indians,  by  whom  it  is  known  as  "  Kahptu." 

From  all  other  species  of  the  genus,  except  C.  bremrostris  and 
C.  copei,  it  is  distinguished  by  its  small  scales  (14  or  15-76  to  82-11), 
and  from  C.  bremrostris  it  differs  in  the  deeper  head,  larger  man- 
dible, more  oblique  mouth,  and  by  the  prominent  hump  on  the  snout; 
mouth  inclined  at  an  angle  of  40°.  Colour,  dark  above,  whitish  or 
silvery  below,  the  two  colours  separated  along  a  definite  line  travers- 
ing the  side  midway  between  lateral  line  and  insertion  of 
ventrals. 


Tswam 

Chasmistes  copei  Evermann    &    Meek 

This  is  still  another  species  of  Chasmistes,  inhabiting  the  Klamath 
Lakes.  It  closely  resembles  C.  stomias,  but  may  be  distinguished 
from  that  species  by  its  larger  head,  larger,  more  oblique  mouth;  less 
prominent  snout,  and  very  small  fins. 

This  sucker  reaches  a  length  of  1 6  or  18  inches  and  is  used  as 
food  by  the  Klamath  Indians.  The  Indian  name  is  "Tswam." 

Head  3|;  depth  4;  eye  6£;  snout  2^;  D.  10;  A.  7;  scales 
13-80-12.  Head  very  large,  cheek  very  deep;  body  stout,  back 
scarcely  elevated.  Colour,  upper  parts  dark  olivaceous;  under  parts 
whitish;  a  dark  spot  in  upper  part  of  axil;  dorsal  and  caudal  dark ; 
pectoral  dark  on  inner  surface;  ventrals  and  anal  plain. 


GENUS   DELTISTES  SEALE 

This  genus  is  close  to  Chasmistes,  from  which  it  differs 
chiefly  in  the  structure  of  the  gillrakers,  the  very  long,  slender 
head,  the  small  horizontal  mouth,  and  the  thicker  lips.  The 
gillrakers  are  broad  and  shaped  like  -the  Greek  letter  A  (delta) 
and  their  edges  are  unarmed  and  entire;  lower  pharyngeals 
weak,  with  numerous  small  teeth. 

The  single  known  species  is  the  Lost  River  sucker  (D.  luxatus), 
which  is  the  most  important  food-fish  of  the  Klamath  Lakes 
region.  It  is  apparently  resident  during  most  of  the  year  in  the 
deeper  waters  of  Upper  Klamath  and  Tule  lakes,  running  up 
the  rivers  in  March  and  April  in  incredible  numbers,  the  height 
of  the  run  varying  from  year  to  year  according  to  the  condition 
of  the  streams.  The  Lost  River  fish  are  the  most  highly  prized, 
and  are  said  to  be  much  fatter  and  of  finer  flavour  than  those 
ascending  the  tributaries  of  Upper  Klamath  Lake. 

This  species  reaches  the  largest  size  of  any  of  the  Klamath 
Lake  suckers,  examples  over  3  feet  in  length  and  weighing 
several  pounds  having  been  examined.  It  is  of  vast  importance 
to  the  Klamath  Indians,  who,  during  the  spring  run,  catch  it  in 
immense  numbers  and  cure  it  for  winter  use. 

An  attempt  has  been  made  to  preserve  the  meat  in  cans, 
but  apparently  without  success.  Oil  has  been  extracted  from  the 
heads  and  entrails,  said  to  be  worth  6oc.  to  S^c.  per  gallon. 

Head  4;  depth  4|;  snout  2\  in  head;  D.  12;  A.  7;  scales 
12-76  to  81-9.  Body  elongate;  head  very  long  and  slender,  the 
snout  and  cheek  especially  long;  mouth  inclined  upward  at  an 
angle  of  about  35°;  fontanelle  large;  premaxillary  spines  forming  a 
decided  hump  on  snout  near  its  tip. 


GENUS  XYRAUCHEN  EIGENMANN  &  KIRSCH 

The  characters  of  this  genus  agree  in  all  respects  with  those 
of  Catostomus  except  that  behind  the  occiput  is  a  sharp-edged 
hump  produced  by  the  singularly  developed  interneural  bones, 
giving  the  adult  fish  a  very  grotesque  appearance. 

57 


Razor-back   Sucker ;   Hump-back  Sucker 

Only  two  species  are  known,  both  from  the  Colorado  River. 
Only  one  of  these  is  of  any  food  value.  The  other  (X.  uncom~ 
pahgre  Jordan  &  Evermann^)  is  known  only  from  the  type,  a 
specimen  7  inches  long,  and  may  be  the  young  of  X.  cypho. 


Razor-back    Sucker ;    Hump-back   Sucker 

Xyrauchen  cypho  (Lockington) 

Known  only  from  the  Colorado  Basin,  where  it  is  quite 
abundant  and  of  considerable  value.  It  reaches  a  weight  of  8  to 
10  pounds. 

Head  4;  depth  4;  D.  13  or  14;  A.  7;  scales  13  to  15-72  to 
77-13.  Body  stout,  compressed,  the  head  low,  the  profile  ascending 
to  the  prominent  hump;  mouth  wide,  inferior;  upper  lip  with  2 
rows  of  papillae,  the  lower  deeply  divided  and  with  8  rows  ; 
dorsal  fin  long  and  low,  with  concave  edge;  caudal  broad  and 
strong,  with  numerous  rudimentary  rays;  scales  loosely  imbri- 
cated; anterior  part  of  hump  scaleless.  Colour,  plain  olivaceous. 


GENUS  ERIMYZON  JORDAN 
The  Chub  Suckers 

This  genus  may  be  known  by  the  entire  absence  of  a  late- 
ral line  and  the  plain  colouration  in  the  adult.  The  young  have 
a  broad  black  lateral  band  and  are  easily  mistaken  for  Cyprinidce. 


Chub   Sucker 


Chub  Sucker 

Only  one  species  is  known,  E.  sucetta,  the  chub  sucker  or 
creekfish,  which  reaches  a  length  of  about  10  inches  and  is 
widely  distributed  from  the  Great  Lakes  and  New  England  south 
to  Texas.  Those  in  the  northern  part  of  the  range  have  been 
regarded  as  a  subspecies,  E.  sucetta  oblongus. 


GENUS  MINYTREMA  JORDAN 

This  genus  may  be  known  by  the  incomplete  lateral  line 
and  the  presence  of  a  small  blackish  spot  at  base  of  each  scale 
on  side,  these  forming  interrupted  longitudinal  lines  along  the 
rows  of  scales. 


Spotted   Sucker 

The   single    species    is    M.   melanops,    known    as    the  winter 
sucker  or  spotted    sucker.      It   reaches  a  moderate  size  and  is  of 

59 


The  Redhorses 


some  value  as  a  food-fish.  It  occurs  in  the  Great  Lakes  region 
and  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Texas,  being  most  common 
westward. 


The  Redhorses 

Body  more  or  less  elongate,  sometimes  nearly  terete,  usually 
more  or  less  compressed;  head  variously  long  or  short;  eye 
usually  large;  subprbital  bones  very  narrow;  fontanelle  always 
open;  mouth  varying  much  in  size,  always  inferior  in  position, 
the  mandible  horizontal,  or  nearly  so;  lips  usually  well  developed, 
the  form  of  the  lower  varying,  usually  with  a  slight  median 
fissure,  but  never  deeply  cleft;  lips  with  transverse  plicae,  rarely 
broken  up  into  papillae;  jaws  without  cartilaginous  sheath;  oper- 
cular  bones  moderately  developed,  nearly  smooth;  isthmus  broad; 
gillrakers  weak,  moderately  long;  pharyngeal  bones  rather  weak, 
as  in  Catostomus,  the  teeth  rather  coarser  and  strongly  com- 
pressed, the  lower  5  or  6  more  strongly  than  the  others,  which 
rapidly  diminish  in  size  upward,  each  with  a  prominent  internal 
cusp;  scales  large,  more  or  less  quadrate  in  form,  nearly  equal 
in  size  over  the  body,  and  not  especially  crowded  anywhere; 
lateral  line  well  developed,  straight  or  anteriorly  curved;  fins 
well  developed,  the  dorsal  inserted  about  midway  of  the  body, 
its  first  ray  usually  rather  nearer  snout  than  caudal;  anal  fin 
short  and  high,  usually  emarginate  in  the  male;  caudal  fin 
deeply  forked;  air-bladder  with  three  chambers. 

Sexual  characters  little  marked,  the  males  during  the  spawn- 
ing season  with  the  lower  fins  reddened  and  the  anal  rays 
somewhat  swollen  and  tuberculate. 

60 


COMMON  REDHORSE  SUCKER,  Moxostoma  aureolmn 


LAKE  CARP  SUCKER  OR  QUILLBACK,  Carpiodes  thompsom 


The  Redhorses 

This  is  a  large  genus,  comprising  not  fewer  than  20  species, 
all  of  which  occur  in  the  eastern  United  States  in  the  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  drainages.  There  is  no  representative  of  the  genus  on 
the  Pacific  Coast.  They  inhabit  both  streams  and  lakes,  but 
prefer  the  streams.  Their  spawning  time  is  in  the  spring, 
when  they  run  up  the  rivers  and  into  the  smaller  streams, 
sometimes  in  very  great  numbers. 

The  species  are  difficult  to  distinguish  and  have  been  unduly 
multiplied  by  authors.  They  are  less  tenacious  of  life  than  the 
species  of  Catostomus,  but  equal  them  in  food  value. 

Of  the  20  species  only  about  5  attain  a  sufficient  size  to 
make  them  of  much  value  for  food.  The  remaining  15  species, 
which  are  mostly  of  small  size,  are  the  following: 

Sucking  mullet  (M.  collapsum),  lowland  streams  of  North 
Carolina;  thick-cheeked  sucker  (M.  bucco),  Missouri  River  at 
St.  Joseph;  Pedee  sucker  (M.  pidiense),  Great  Pedee  River  basin; 
blue  mullet  (M.  coregonus),  Catawba  and  Yadkin  rivers;  white 
mullet  (M.  album),  Catawba  and  other  rivers  of  North  Carolina; 
green  mullet  (M.  thalassinum),  Yadkin  River;  Texas  red-horse 
(M.  congestum),  rivers  of  Texas;  Mexican  mullet  (M.  austrinum) 
Rio  Lerma,  Mexico;  Yadkin  mullet  (M.  robustum)  Yadkin  River, 
a  doubtful  species,  perhaps  identical  with  M.  macrolepidotum, 
which  occurs  from  Delaware  to  the  Carolinas  ;  picconou 
(M.  lesueuri),  Albany  River,  Canada,  and  elsewhere  in  the  far 
north,  the  most  northern  species,  but  not  well  known;  Neuse 
River  mullet  (M.  conus),  Neuse  and  Yadkin  rivers,  perhaps  not 
distinct  from  M.  breviceps',  Tangipahoa  mullet  (M.  pcecilurwn), 
southern  Mississippi  to  eastern  Texas;  jump-rocks  (M.  rupiscartes), 
rivers  from  North  Carolina  to  Georgia;  and  jumping  mullet  (M. 
cervinum),  rivers  of  the  South  Atlantic  States  from  the  James  to 
the  Neuse,  abundant  about  rapids  and  rocky  pools. 

a.  Lips  full,   the  folds  broken  up  into  evident  papillae ; 

papillosum,  62 
aa.  Lips   plicate,  the  folds  not  forming  distinct  papillae. 

b.  Dorsal    fin    large,    of    15  to    18     rays;    lower  lip   V-shaped, 

somewhat    papillose ; anisurum,  62 

bb.  Dorsal  fin  smaller,    of   10  to    14  rays. 

c.  Caudal  fin   with  the  upper    lobe  not    conspicuously    longer 

than   the  lower. 

d.  Dorsal  fin   with   its  free   margin    nearly  straight;   lower  fins 

always  red   in    life ; aureolum,  6) 

61 


White   Mullet 

dd.  Dorsal  fin  with  its  free  margin  always  more   or  less  incised 
or  concave;   lower  fins   always   pale  in   life. 

e.  Head   moderate,    4f  in   body;   back  not  elevated; 

macrolepidotum,  61 
ee.  Head   very   short  and   blunt,    5   in   body;   back  elevated;... 

crassilabre,  63 

cc.  Caudal  fin   with   the    upper    lobe    more    or    less    produced  61 
and  falcate breviceps,  64 


White    Mullet 

Moxostoma  papillosum  (Cope) 

Coastwise  streams  from  the  Dismal  Swamp  to  the  Ocmulgee 
River  in  Georgia;  said  to  be  common. 

Head  4  to  4^;  depth  4  to  42 ;  D,  12  to  14;  scales  6-42-5. 
Body  comparatively  stout,  the  dorsal  region  somewhat  elevated 
and  rounded;  eyes  rather  large,  high  up  and  well  back,  the 
preorbital  space  longer  than  in  most  species;  top  of  head  flat; 
lips  moderate,  deeply  incised,  the  folds  more  broken  up  than  in 
other  species;  caudal  lobes  equal.  Colour,  silvery;  back  with 
smoky  shading;  lower  fins  more  or  less  reddish.  Length  I  to 
2  feet. 

White-nosed  Sucker 

Moxostoma  anisurum  (Rafinesque) 

This  species  reaches  a  length  of  \\  feet  or  more,  and  is  not 
uncommon  in  the  Great  Lakes  region  and  southward  in  the  Ohio 
basin.  * 

Head  3!  to  4  in  length;  depth  3  to  4;  eye  4  to  5  in  head; 
depth  of  cheek  2  in  head;  D.  15  to  18.  Body  stout,  deep  and 
compressed,  the  back  elevated;  head  short,  heavy,  flattish  and 
broad  above;  eye  rather  large,  midway  in  head;  muzzle  rather 
prominent,  bluntish,  overhanging  the  large  mouth;  upper  lip  thin; 
fins  very  large,  the  dorsal  bng  and  high,  its  height  \\  in  length 
of  head,  its  free  border  straight,  the  first  ray  about  as  long  as  the 
fin;  pectorals  nearly  reaching  ventrals;  upper  lobe  of  caudal  narrow, 
longer  than  lower.  Colour,  very  pale  and  silvery;  smoky  above; 
lower  fins  white  or  pale  red. 

62 


Common    Redhorse 

Common  Redhorse 

Moxostoma   aureolum    (Le    Sueur) 

The  common  redhorse  is  found  from  Lakes  Ontario  and 
Michigan  to  Nebraska  and  south  to  Arkansas  and  Georgia.  West 
of  the  Alleghanies  it  is  everywhere  an  abundant  and-well-known 
fish.  It  reaches  a  length  of  2  feet  or  more  and  is  the  most  im- 
portant food-fish  of  the  genus.  In  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley 
states  it  has  always  been  held  in  considerable  esteem  by  the  farm- 
ers, who  were  in  the  habit  of  snaring,  seining,  or  catching  them 
in  traps  in  great  numbers  in  the  spring  of  the  year  and  salting 
them  for  winter  use. 

Like  most  other  well-known  species  of  wide  distribution,  this 
sucker  has  received  many  common  names,  among  which  are  the 
following:  mullet,  white  sucker,  large-scaled  sucker,  and  redfm 
sucker. 


Head  rather  elongate,  bluntish,  broad  and  flattened  above; 
body  stoutish,  varying  to  moderately  elongate;  lips  rather  full,  the 
bluntish  muzzle  projecting  beyond  the  large  mouth;  greatest  depth 
of  cheek  more  than  half  distance  from  snout  to  preopercle;  dorsal 
fin  medium  in  size,  its  free  edge  nearly  straight,  its  longest  ray 
shorter  than  the  head.  Colour,  olivaceous;  sides  silvery,  paler 
beneath;  lower  fins  red  or  orange. 


Sucking  Mullet 

Moxostoma  crassilabre  (Cope) 

Streams  of  eastern  North  Carolina,  where  it  is  very  abundant. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  nearly  2  feet,  and,  in  the  spring,  is  taken  in 
large  numbers  in  the  shad  seines. 

Among  the  vernacular  names  applied  to  it  are  redhorse,  horse- 
fish,  redfm,  and  mullet. 

Head  4f  to  5  in  length;  depth  3^;  eye  sf  to  4;  D.  12  or  13; 
scales  6-42  to  44-5.  Body  robust,  the  back  elevated  and  com- 

63 


Short-headed  Redhorse 

pressed;  head  short,  broad,  flattish  above;  mouth  moderate,  the 
lips  full,  the  lower  truncate  behind;  snout  short,  little  projecting; 
dorsal  fin  elevated  in  front,  its  edge  much  incised,  its  first  ray 
longer  than  the  base  of  the  fin  and  about  as  long  as  the  head; 
caudal  lobes  equal.  Colour,  silvery,  with  smoky  shading  above, 
some  of  the  scales  blackish  at  their  bases;  caudal  and  anal  with 
some  red;  top  of  head,  humeral  bar  and  a  broad  shade  across 
dorsal  fin,  dusky. 

Short-headed  Redhorse 

Moxostoma    breviceps  (Cope) 

Great  Lakes  and  Ohio  Valley,  abundant  in  Lake  Erie.  This 
species  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot  or  more. 

Head  5  to  5^;  depth  3!;  eye  small,  5  in  head;  D.  12  or  13- 
scales  6-45-5.  Body  deep,  compressed;  head  small;  snout  short 
and  sharply  conic,  overhanging  the  very  small  mouth;  form  sug- 
gesting that  of  the  white-fish;  caudal  fin  with  the  upper  lobe  fal- 
cate and  much  longer  than  the  lower,  at  least  in  the  adult;  dorsal 
fin  short,  high,  and  falcate,  the  anterior  rays  i^  to  \\  times  base 
of  fin,  the  free  'border  much  concave;  anal  long,  falcate,  reaching 
beyond  base  of  caudal.  Colour,  silvery,  the  lower  fins  bright  red. 


GENUS  PLACOPHARYNX  COPE 

Suckers  much  like  Moxostoma  in  all  respects,  except  that  the 
pharyngeal  bones  are  much  more  developed  and  the  teeth  reduced  in 
number,  those  on  the  lower  half  of  the  bone  very  large,  6  to  10  in 
number,  nearly  cylindric  in  form,  being  but  little  compressed  and 
with  a  broad,  rounded,  or  flattened  grinding  surface;  mouth  larger 
and  more  oblique  than  usual  in  Moxostoma,  and  the  lips  thicker. 
Only  one  species  known. 

Big- jawed    Sucker 

Placopharynx    duquesnii  (Le  Sueur) 

This  interesting  sucker  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  2^  feet  and 
is  not  uncommon  from  Michigan  to  Tennessee,  Arkansas  and 

64 


Big-jawed  Sucker 

Georgia  in  the  larger  streams;  it  is  probably  most  abundant  in  the 
French  Broad  River  and  in  the  Ozark  region. 

Nothing  peculiar  in  its  habits  is  known,  and  it  ranks  with 
the  species  of  redhorse  as  a  food-fish. 

Head  4  in  length;  depth  3$;  D.  12  or  13;  A.  9.  Body 
oblong,  moderately  compressed,  heavy  at  the  shoulders;  head 
large,  broad,  and  flattish  above,  its  upper  surface  somewhat  uneven, 
eye  small,  behind  the  middle  of  the  head;  mouth  large,  the  lower 
jaw  oblique  when  the  mouth  is  closed,  the  mouth,  therefore,  pro- 
tractile forward  as  well  as  downward;  lips  very  thick,  coarsely 
plicate,  the  lower  lip  full  and  heavy,  truncate  behind;  free  edge 
of  dorsal  concave,  the  longest  ray  longer  than  base  of  fin,  i£  in 
head;  upper  lobe  of  caudal  narrower  than  the  lower  and  some- 
what longer.  Colour,  dark  olive  green,  the  sides  brassy,  not 
silvery;  lower  fins  and  caudal  orange  red. 


GENUS  LAGOCHILA  JORDAN  &  BRAYTON 

This  is  the  most  peculiar  genus  of  suckers  and  may  be  known 
readily  by  the  nonprotractile  upper  lip  and  the  split  lower  lip.     The 


Hare-lip  Sucker 

single    species    is  the    hare-lip  sucker,   cutlips,    split-mouth   sucker, 
rabbit-mouth    sucker,    pea-lip    sucker,    or    May    sucker,    L.   lacera. 


Hare-lip  sucker,  showing  lower  lip. 

It  is  found  in  clear  streams  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  as  the 
Tippecanoe,  Wabash,  Clinch,  Cumberland,  Chickamauga  and  White 
River  of  Arkansas.  It  is  most  common  in  the  Ozark  region. 


66 


THE  MINNOWS 

Family    V.  Cyprinida 

FISHES  with  the  margin  of  the  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  pre- 
maxillaries  alone,  and  the  lower  pharyngeal  bones  well  devel- 
oped, falciform,  nearly  parallel  with  the  gillarches,  each  with  i  to 
3  series  of  teeth  in  small  number,  usually  4  or  5  in  the  main 
row,  and  fewer  in  the  other  rows  if  present;  head  naked,  body 
scaly,  except  in  a  few  genera;  barbels  usually  not  present,  but  2  or  4 
small  ones  present  in  some  genera;  belly  usually  rounded,  rarely  com- 
pressed, never  serrated;  gill-openings  moderate,  the  membranes 
broadly  joined  to  the  isthmus;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  last;  no 
adipose  fin;  dorsal  fin  short  in  all  our  species;  ventrals  abdo- 
minal; air-bladder  usually  large  and  commonly  divided  into  2 
parts;  stomach  without  appendages,  appearing  as  a  simple  enlarge- 
ment of  the  intestine. 

The  Cyprinidce  constitute  a  very  large  family  of  fishes  of  mod- 
erate or  small  size,  inhabiting  the  fresh  waters  of  the  Old  World 
and  North  America.  The  family  contains  about  200  genera  and 
more  than  1,000  species,  of  which  about  225  are  found  in  our 
waters.  This  number  greatly  exceeds  that  of  any  other  family  of 
fresh-water  fishes.  Not  only  are  the  species  very  numerous,  but 
the  individuals  are  usually  exceedingly  abundant. 

Most  of  our  species  are  very  small  fishes,  usually  not  exceed- 
ing a  few  inches  in  total  length,  and,  on  account  of  their  great 
uniformity  in  size,  form,  and  colouration,  they  constitute  one  of  the 
most  difficult  groups  in  all  zoology  in  which  to  distinguish  genera 
and  species. 

Our  Eastern  species  rarely  exceed  a  foot  in  length,  but  in  the 
West  are  several  very  large  species,  some  reaching  a  length  of 
several  feet,  and  all  of  these  are  of  some  food  value.  Several  of 
the  smaller  species  are  good  "boy's  fishes,"  and  one  or  more 
species  can  usually  be  found  on  any  boy's  string.  They  are  all 
sweet,  delicious  pan-fishes,  albeit  exasperatingly  bony,  and  various 
species  of  minnows  constitute  the  very  best  live  bait  the  angler 
can  get. 

The  spring  or  breeding  dress  of  the  male  is  often  very  pecu- 
liar; the  top  of  the  head  and  often  the  fins  and  portions  of  the 

67 


The  Squawfish 

body  are  covered  with  small  tubercles,  outgrowths  from  the  epider- 
mis; the  fins  and  lower  parts  of  the  body  are  often  charged  with 
bright  pigment,  the  prevailing  colour  of  which  is  red,  although  in 
some  genera  it  is  satin-white,  yellowish,  or  even  black. 

Although  nearly  all  the  Cyprinidce  are  very  small  fishes,  there 
are  a  few  species  the  individuals  of  which  reach  a  large  size. 

As  so  few  of  the  many  genera  of  American  Cyprinidce  have 
any  commercial  species,  generic  descriptions  have  been  omitted  in 
the  hope  that  the  specific  descriptions  may  suffice. 


Squawfish 

Ptychocheilus   oregonensis  Richardson 

The  squawfish  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  minnows.  It 
reaches  a  length  of  2  to  4  feet,  a  size  which  shows  strikingly 
that  "minnows"  are  not  necessarily  little  fish. 

Its  geographic  range  is  from  British  Columbia  southward  in 
Pacific  Coast  drainage  to  central  California.  In  the  Columbia 
River  basin  it  ascends  as  far  as  Shoshone  Falls  in  Snake  River, 
and  at  least  to  Flathead  Lake  in  Clarks  Fork.  It  is  abun- 
dant in  the  Fraser,  and  also  in  the  Sacramento,  San  Joaquin, 
Salinas,  and  other  lowland  streams  of  California.  It  is  very 
abundant  in  the  Redfish  Lakes,  and  other  lakes  of  Idaho.  Dur- 
ing the  fall  and  the  latter  part  of  summer  large  schools  of  this 
species  could  be  seen,  particularly  in  the  evening,  swimming 
about  the  mouths  of  the  inlets,  usually  at  a  depth  of  5  to  40 
feet,  but  toward  evening  they  would  come  to  the  surface  and 

68 


GOLDEN  TENCH,  Tinea  tinea.     INTRODUCED 


GERMAN  CARP,  Cypnnus  carpio.    INTRODUCED 


The  White  Salmon 

feed  greedily  upon  various  insects  that  had  fallen  upon  the 
surface  of  the  water.  Their  manner  of  taking  these  insects  is 
very  much  like  that  of  the  trout.  Frequently  they  would  jump 
entirely  out  of  the  water  in  their  eagerness  to  secure  the  falling 
insect.  They  will  rise  to  the  artificial  fly  quite  freely.  By  using 
Royal  Coachman  and  fishing  as  if  for  trout  excellent  sport  may 
be  had.  They  rise  to  the  fly  promptly,  strike  quickly,  and  fight 
vigorously  for  a  few  moments,  after  which  they  allow  themselves 
to  be  pulled  in  without  much  struggle.  They  will  rise  to  the 
fly  best  in  the  evening,  but  will  at  any  time  take  the  hook 
baited  with  salmon  spawn. 

During  the  spring  and  early  summer  the  Squawfish  run  out 
into  the  streams,  where  they  seem  to  prefer  to  spawn,  but  in  the 
fall  and  winter  the  streams  connected  with  lakes  are  apt  to  be 
deserted  by  this  fish.  In  the  winter  it  is  sought  as  an  article 
of  food,  and  fishing  through  the  ice  for  squawfish  is  one  of  the 
popular  winter  amusements  at  the  Idaho  lakes.  In  these  lakes 
it  rarely  attains  a  greater  weight  than  about  4  pounds,  and  the 
usual  weight  is  not  over  a  pound. 

This  fish  is  highly  esteemed  by  the  Indians,  hence  its  most 
popular  name.  Other  names  by  which  it  is  known  are  Sacra- 
mento pike,  chub,  big -mouth,  box-head,  yellow-belly,  and 
chappaul. 

Head  3^  to  4;  depth  4!  to  5^-;  eye  7^  in  head,  2\  in 
snout;  snout  3;  D,  9;  A.  8;  scales  15  to  17-70  to  80-8,  42  to 
60  before  the  dorsal  ;  teeth  2,  4-5,  2,  strong  and  well  hooked, 
but  without  grinding  surface.  Body  rather  robust,  with  stout 
caudal  peduncle;  head  long  and  pointed;  mouth  large,  the  max- 
illary reaching  front  of  pupil;  eye  small,  much  larger  in  the 
young;  lateral  line  strongly  decurved,  much  nearer  belly  than 
back.  Colour,  muddy,  greenish  above,  sides  somewhat  silvery, 
but  chiefly  dirty  yellowish;  belly  yellowish  or  pale;  in  spring 
the  fins  are  reddish  or  orange  and  the  scales  more  or  less 
dusted  with  dark  specks;  young  with  a  black  caudal  spot. 

White  Salmon  of  the  Colorado   River 

Ptychocheilus   lucius   Girard 

This  species  differs  chiefly  from  the  squawfish,  which  it 
closely  resembles,  in  the  much  smaller  scales,  there  being  83  to 

69 


The  Utah  Lake  Chub 

» 

90  in   the   lateral   line.     There   are   no  other  important  differences. 

Colorado  basin;  very  abundant  in  the  river  channels  as  far 
up  as  the  mountains  of  Colorado. 

This  is  the  largest  of  the  American  Cyprinidoe.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  5  feet  or  more,  and  a  weight  of  80  pounds,  though 
examples  of  this  extreme  size  are  infrequent.  At  Green  River, 
Wyoming,  individuals  of  8  and  10  pounds  are.  not  at  all  rare. 
It  is  known  variously  as  the  whitefish,  white  salmon,  or  salmon, 
and  in  the  Colorado  basin,  where  species  of  food-fishes  are  not 
numerous,  it  is  a  fish  of  considerable  importance. 

Nothing  distinctive  is  known  of  its  habits  or  methods  of 
capture. 


Utah    Lake   Chub 

Lenciscus  lineatus  (Girard) 

Head  3^-;  depth  3%;  eye  7;  D.  9;  A.  8;  scales  10-55  to 
65-5;  teeth  2,  5-4,  2,  short  and  stout,  one  of  them  with  grind- 
ing surface.  Body  robust,  elevated  anteriorly,  the  sides  com- 
pressed, although  the  back  is  very  broad;  head  broad,  the 
interorbital  space  flattish;  adult  with  the  profile  concave,  straight 
or  convex  in  the  young;  snout  broad,  elevated  at  the  tip; 
premaxillary  on  level  of  pupil;  mouth  very  oblique,  the  mandible 
projecting;  maxillary  reaching  front  of  eye;  scales  large,  sub- 
equal,  broadly  exposed,  firm;  lateral  line  decurved;  dorsal  nearly 
median,  inserted  directly  over  ventrals;  caudal  evenly  forked,  the 
peduncle  long  and  deep;  pectoral  short,  reaching  f  distance  to 
ventrals;  ventrals  about  reaching  vent.  Colour,  dark,  the  scales 
much  dotted,  the  edges  quite  dark,  often  forming  lines  along 
the  rows  of  scales.  Length  12  to  15  inches. 

One  of  the  largest  and  most  widely  distributed  species  of 
the  genus,  abundant  everywhere  in  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  and 

70 


The  Hornyhead 

in  the  Snake  River  basin  above  Shoshone  Falls.  In  Utah  Lake 
it  is  exceedingly  abundant,  as  it  is  also  in  Jacksons  Lake, 
Yellowstone  Lake  and  other  similar  waters,  where,  owing  to  its 
large  size,  it  is  of  some  importance  as  a  food-fish.  It  is  said 
to  be  very  destructive  to  the  eggs  of  trout,  a  belief  which  may 
be  justified  by  the  facts,  but  we  are  not  aware  that  the  matter 
has  ever  been  fully  investigated. 

Besides  this  species  of  Leuciscus  there  are  in  America  about 
24  other  species,  all  of  which  are  small  and  of  little  importance 
except  as  boy's  fishes.  With  a  few  exceptions  they  are  species 
of  the  Western  States,  and  are  perhaps  most  valuable  to  the 
Indians  or  in  those  regions  where  better  fish  are  rare. 

Then  in  Lake  Tahoe,  the  Klamath  Lakes,  and  various  other 
lakes  of  Nevada,  California  and  Oregon  are  found  three  species 
of  the  genus  Ruiilus,  closely  related  to  Leuciscus,  none  of  them 
of  much  food  value. 

Hornyhead 

Hybopsis  kentuckiensis  (Rafinesque) 

The  hornyhead  is  found  from  Pennsylvania  to  Wyoming  and 
south  to  Alabama,  on  both  sides  of  the  Alleghanies;  everywhere 
common  in  the  larger  streams,  seldom  ascending  small  brooks; 
one  of  our  most  widely  distributed  and  best  known  minnows. 

In  different  parts  of  its  range  it  is  known  as  the  hornyhead, 
river  chub,  Indian  chub,  or  jerker. 

Wherever  it  is  found  at  all,  every  boy  who  goes  a-fishing  is 
familiar  with  it.  As  a  game-fish  it  is  the  most  active  and  vigorous 
of  its  tribe.  Any  sort  of  hook  baited  with  an  angleworm  or 
white  grub  is  a  lure  the  hornyhead  can  seldom  resist,  and  he  bites 
with  a  vim  and  energy  worthy  of  a  better  fish.  The  fight  he  makes, 
though  it  would  not  wholly  satisfy  the  veteran  black  bass  angler, 
is  quite  enough  to  fill  the  youthful  Walton  with  unbounded  joy  and 
pride.  But  as  his  experiences  widen  his  chief  interest  in  the  horny- 
head  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  is  one  of  the  best  of  live  baits  for  nobler 
fish.  For  muskallunge,  pickerel,  walleyed  pike,  and  black  bass,  of 
either  species,  as  a  live  bait  it  is  not  surpassed ;  large  individuals  for 
muskallunge  and  increasingly  smaller  ones  for  the  others,  those  -for 
the  small-mouthed  black  bass  being  not  over  3  to  5  inches  in  length. 

71 


The  Cone-head  Minnow 

A    hardy,    active   minnow,    and   of  an   attractive   colour,   as   a   live 
bait  it  is   unsurpassed. 

Head  4;  depth  4\\  D.  8;  A.  7;  scales  6-41-4,  18  in  front  of 
dorsal;  teeth  1,4-4,1,  or  1,4-4,0,  sometimes  4-4.  Body  stout,  little 
elevated,  and  not  much  compressed;  head  large,  broadly  rounded 
above;  snout  bluntly  conical;  mouth  rather  large,  subterminal, 
little  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  somewhat  the  shorter;  upper  lip  below 
level  of  eye;  maxillary  not  reaching  front  of  eye;  barbel  well 
developed;  dorsal  tin  rather  posterior,  slightly  behind  insertion  of 
ventrals:  caudal  broad,  little  forked;  scales  large,  not  crowded 
anteriorly;  lateral  line  somewhat  decurved.  Colour,  bluish-olive 
above;  sides  with  bright  green  and  coppery  reflections;  a  curved 
dusky  bar  behind  opercle;  scales  above  with  dark  borders;  belly 
pale  but  not  silvery,  rosy  in  males  in  spring;  fins  all  pale  orange, 
without  black  spot;  males  in  spring  with  a  crimson  spot  on  each 
side  of  head;  adults  with  top  of  head  swollen,  forming  a  sort  of 
crest  covered  with  tubercles;  young  with  a  dark  caudal  spot. 
Length  6  to  12  inches. 

Cone-head    Minnow 

Mylopharodon  conocephahis  (Baird  &  Girard) 

Head  3^;  depth  4|;  eye  7;  snout  about  3;  D.  8;  A.  8;  scales 
17-74-7.  Body  elongate,  subfusiform,  compressed  ;  head  broad  and 
depressed;  the  snout  tapering;  mouth  horizontal,  the  jaws  about 
equal,  the  maxillary  extending  to  the  eye;  eye  small,  preorbital 
elongate;  interorbital  space  as  wide  as  length  of  maxillary,  3  in  head; 
scales  rather  small,  loosely  imbricated  ;  dorsal  fin  a  little  behind 
ventrals;  caudal  fin  \\  in  head,  the  lower  lobe  the  longer;  caudal 
peduncle  very  long,  4^  in  length  of  body.  Colour,  dark,  paler  below, 
no  red.  This  minnow  reaches  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet  and  is  of  some 
value  as  a  food-fish.  It  is  found  only  in  the  Sacramento-San 
Joaquin  basin. 

Columbia  Chub 

Mylocheilus  caurinus  (Richardson) 

The  Columbia  chub  occurs  in  the  streams  and  lakes  of  British 
Columbia,  Washington,  Idaho,  Montana,  and  Oregon,  chiefly  in 
the  Columbia  River  basin  and  waters  about  Puget  Sound. 

In  the  Columbia  basin  it  ascends  in  Clarks  fork  at  least  as 
far  as  Flathead  Lake,  and  in  Snake  River  to  Shoshone  Falls. 

72 


The  Fallfish 

In  the  Snake  River  this  minnow  is  one  of  the  most  abundant 
fishes,  and  is  locally  known  by  the  misleading  names  "fresh-water 
herring"  and  "whitefish,"  and,  at  one  place,  they  are  even  called 
trout.  The  name  "whitefish"  for  this  minnow  is  rather  more 
than  local  in  its  application,  as  it  is  used  not  only  on  Snake  River, 
but  at  Flathead  Lake  and  perhaps  elsewhere.  At  the  salmon 
fisheries  along  the  Columbia  and  Snake  rivers  it  is  quite  abun- 
dant, and,  after  salmon  fishing  has  begun,  schools  of  30  to  50  or 
more  can  be  seen  at  any  time.  They  are  particularly  attracted  by 
the  offal  thrown  into  the  river  when  the  salmon  are  dressed,  and 
by  throwing  a  few  salmon  eggs  into  the  water,  good-sized  schools 
could  be  called  up  at  any  time. 

This  fish  seldom  attains  a  greater  length  than  a  foot,  and  is, 
like  most  members  of  the  family,  a  bony  species;  nevertheless,  it 
possesses  some  importance  as  a  food-fish.  At  some  places  in  the 
Columbia  basin  it  is  served  as  "whitefish"  at  the  hotels,  and 
elsewhere  it  is  peddled  over  the  country  as  " trout''  or  "fresh-water 
herring."  It  takes  the  hook  readily  and  possesses  considerable 
game  qualities.  The  best  bait  seems  to  be  salmon  spawn,  but  it 
will  bite  at  almost  anything,  a  piece  of  liver,  a  grasshopper,  or  a 
fish's  heart  or  eye.  It  will  fight  vigorously  for  a  time,  and 
large  individuals  will  often  continue  the  fight  until  brought  to  net. 

Head  4|;  depth  4^;  eye  5;  snout  $\\  D.  8;  A.  8;  scales 
12-77-7;  teeth  i  or  2,5-5,2  or  i.  Body  moderately  slender;  head 
bluntly  conic;  interorbital  space  broad,  convex;  mouth  horizontal 
or  nearly  so,  the  maxillary  not  reaching  front  of  eye;  suborbital 
bone  wide;  preorbital  elongate;  teeth  hooked  in  the  young,  some 
of  them  becoming  blunt  with  age.  Colour,  dark  olivaceous  above, 
yellowish  silvery  on  sides,  white  or  pale  beneath;  a  dark  or  red- 
dish lateral  band,  below  which  is  a  pale  stripe,  under  which  is  a 
dark  stripe  which  extends  about  to  vent;  fins  pale;  belly  and  sides 
with  much  red  in  breeding  males. 

Fallfish 

Semotilus   corporalis   (Mitchill) 

Length  a  foot  to  18  inches.      Abundant  from  the  St.   Lawrence 

basin  to  the  James,  east  of  the  Alleghanies,  in  clear,  swift  streams, 

rock    pools,    below    dams   or  falls,   and    in  clear   lakes;  not  found 
west  of  the  Alleghanies. 

73 


The  Fallfish 

The  fallfish  is  much  the  largest  of  our  eastern  Cyprinidce, 
ranking  with  the  western  and  some  European  forms.  Though 
ordinarily  not  exceeding  a  foot  or  15  inches  in  length,  examples 
1 8  inches  or  even  longer  are  not  rare.  An  example  weighing  3^ 
pounds  has  been  recorded  from  Canadian  waters,  and  several  ex- 
amples, each  weighing  3  pounds,  have  been  taken  in  the  outlet 
of  Lake  Winnepesaukee.  The  veteran  angler,  William  C.  Harris, 
has  taken  a  2-pound  fish  of  this  species  on  the  artificial  fly  from 
Lycoming  Creek,  Pennsylvania. 

Many  anglers  who  are  familiar  with  the  fallfish  speak  enthus- 
iastically of  its  game  qualities.  The  character  of  the  waters  in 
which  it  lives  and  the  large  size  which  it  attains  would  readily 
suggest  a  minnow  of  unusual  strength  and  gaminess. 

The  common  names  which  this  fish  has  received  are  numer- 
ous. The  early  Dutch  settlers  of  New  York  called  it  corporaalen 
or  corporal,  and  elsewhere  it  has  been  variously  called  chub,  roach, 
silver  chub,  or  wind-fish. 

Thoreau  says  it  is  a  "soft  fish  and  tastes  like  brown  paper, 
salted." 

Head  4;  depth  4;  eye  4|;  D.  8;  A.  8;  scales  8-49-4,  18  to 
22  before  the  dorsal;  teeth  2,5-4,2,  hooked,  without  grinding  sur- 
face. Body  oblong,  robust,  little  compressed;  head  large,  convex, 
the  snout  bluntly  conic;  mouth  large,  terminal,  somewhat  oblique, 
the  lower  jaw  included;  premaxillary  below  the  level  of  the  eye, 
the  maxillary  barely  reaching  front  of  orbit;  eye  moderate,  rather 
high  up  and  anterior;  a  small  barbel  on  maxillary  just  above  its 
extremity,  not  at  its  tip  as  in  most  American  minnows,  not 
always  evident  in  the  young;  scales  large,  not  much  crowded 
anteriorly;  dorsal  fin  somewhat  behind  middle  of  body,  just  behind 
ventrals,  or  midway  between  nostril  and  base  of  caudal.  Colour, 
brilliant;  steel-blue  above,  sides  and  belly  silvery;  males  in  spring 
with  the  belly  and  lower  fins  rosy  or  crimson;  no  spots  on  the  fins. 


74 


The  Common  Chut 


Common    Chub 

Semotilus  atromaculattis  (Mitchill) 

This  fish  closely  resembles  the  preceding,  from  which  it  may 
be  readily  distinguished,  however,  by  the  more  posterior  position 
of  the  dorsal  fin  (midway  between  middle  of  eye  and  base  of 
caudal,  and  well  behind  ventrals),  the  closer  crowding  of  the 
scales  on  anterior  part  of  body,  and  the  presence  of  a  large 
black  spot  on  base  of  anterior  dorsal  rays.  The  scales  also  are 
somewhat  smaller,  the  number  in  the  lateral  line  being  usually 
50  to  55.  Colour,  dusky  bluish  above,  side  with  a  vague, 
dusky  band,  black  in  the  young,  disappearing  in  the  adult;  belly 
whitish,  rosy  in  males  in  spring;  dorsal  fin  always  with  a  con- 
spicuous black  spot  on  base  of  anterior  rays  which  is  bordered 
with  red  in  the  male;  a  dark  vertebral  line;  scales  everywhere 
edged  with  dark  punctulations;  a  dusky  bar  behind  opercle;  males 
with  snout  coarsely  tuberculate  in  spring;  young  with  a  small 
black  caudal  spot. 

The  common  chub  is  found  from  Maine  westward  to  Wyom- 
ing and  south  to  Georgia  and  Alabama,  everywhere  abundant, 
particularly  in  small  creeks,  where  it  is  often  the  largest  and 
most  voracious  inhabitant. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot  or  less  and  is  one  of  the  most 
common  species  seen  on  the  small  boy's  string.  Its  food  value 
is  not  great,  though  it  serves  a  useful  purpose  in  many  a  region 
where  better  fish  are  rare.  Moreover,  it  is  an  excellent  bait 
minnow  for  bass,  walleyed  pike,  pickerel,  and  muskallunge. 
Among  the  common  names  borne  by  this  fish  are  horned  dace, 
chub,  and  creek  chub. 

75 


THE  TRUE   EELS 

Family    VI.     Anguillida 

"A  youthful   eel   resided  in   a  tiny  tidal    pool; 

He  was  lithe  as  gutta-percha,   and  as  pliable; 
From  his  actions  and  contractions  he  appeared  to  be  a  fool. 
But  his  virtue  was  completely  undeniable." 

— Carryl. 

THE  true  eels  are  characterized  by  their  peculiar  fine  imbedded 
scales  in  association  with  a  conical  head  and  a  general  resemblance  to 
the  conger  eels.  The  scales  are  inconspicuous,  narrow  and  placed 
in  series  at  angles  with  each  other.  The  Anguillidce  approach  more 
nearly  than  most  of  the  other  eels  to  the  type  of  the  true  fishes.  In 
one  respect,  that  of  the  minute  ova  and  concealed  generation,  how- 
ever, they  differ  widely  from  the  true  fishes. 

The  single  genus  of  this  family  is  Anguilla,  with  one  species  in 
our  waters. 

Common    Eel 

Anguilla    chrisypa    Rafinesque 

The  common  eel  is  familiar  to  every  one  who  has  lived  in 
Eastern  North  America,  and  who  has  given  any  attention  to 
things  out  doors.  On  our  Atlantic  Coast  it  ranges  from  New- 
foundland to  Mexico  and  Central  America,  and  is  also  abundant 
among  the  islands  of  the  West  Indies.  It  is  found  likewise 
along  the  Gulf  Coast.  Unlike  other  eels  it  ascends  freshwater 
streams  long  distances,  and  may  be  found  even  in  the  head- 
waters of  nearly  all  the  rivers  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  and  the 
Mississippi  Valley.  It  is  frequently  found  in  lakes  which  would 
seem  to  be  difficult  to  reach  from  the  sea,  but  however  great  the 
barriers  appear  to  be,  it  is  certain  that  they  have  not  been  in- 
surmountable, and  that  the  eels  got  into  the  lakes  from  some 
connecting  water. 

The  eel  is  really  a  freshwater  fish,  whose  real  home  is  in 
the  freshwater  rivers  and  lakes,  but  which  runs  down  to  salt 

76 


r  - 


The  Common  Eel 

water  only  at  spawning  time.  Such  fishes  are  called  catadromous 
species,  and  their  movements  at  spawning  time  are  in  marked 
contrast  with,  and  the  exact  opposite  of,  those  of  the  anadromous 
fishes  (such  as  the  salmon  and  the  shad)  whose  true  home  is 
in  salt  water,  but  which  run  up  freshwater  streams  to  spawn. 

The  method  of  reproduction  of  the  common  eel  was  long 
a  mystery,  and  even  to  this  day  it  continues  to  be  such 
among  the  illiterate  and  uninformed.  While  its  method  of  re- 
production has  long  been  fully  understood,  scarcely  a  year 
passes  that  does  not  bring  to  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission  a 
communication  from  someone  who  claims  that  he  has  discovered 
that  the  lamprey — an  animal  belonging  to  an  entirely  different 
class  from  the  eel,  and  only  most  remotely  related  to  it — is 
really  the  female  eel! 

Jacoby  has  remarked  that  the  eel  was  from  the  earliest 
times  a  riddle  to  the  Greeks;  while  ages  ago  they  knew  the 
manner  of  reproduction  among  other  fishes,  they  were  not  able 
to  make  any  such  discovery  regarding  the  common  eel.  The 
Greek  poets,  following  the  usage  of  their  day,  which  was 
to  attribute  to  Jupiter  all  children  whose  paternity  was  doubtful, 
were  accustomed  to  say  that  Jupiter  was  also  the  progenitor  of 
the  eel. 

Aristotle  states  in  his  "History  of  Animals"  that  eels  have 
no  sexes,  nor  eggs,  nor  semen,  and  that  they  rise  from  ges 
entera,  the  entrails  of  the  sea.  Some  have  thought  that  by  this 
expression  Aristotle  meant  earthworms,  while  others  have 
claimed  that  the  Greeks  used  this  term  for  all  sorts  of  creeping, 
limbless  things  living  in  soil  or  mud,  and  that  these  were  spon- 
taneously generated. 

"When  we  bear  in  mind,"  says  Jacoby,  "the  veneration 
in  which  Aristotle  was  held  in  ancient  times,  and  still  more 
throughout  the  middle  ages — a  period  of  nearly  2,000  years — it 
could  not  be  otherwise  than  that  this  wonderful  statement 
should  be  believed,  and  that  it  should  become  embellished  by 
numerous  additional  legends  and  amplifications,  many  of  which 
have  held  their  own  in  the  popular  mind  even  to  this  day." 

There  is  no  other  animal  concerning  whose  origin  and  ex- 
istence there  is  such  a  number  of  false  beliefs  and  ridiculous 
fables. 

Though   Aristotle's   absurd    views    continued    to    receive    cre- 

77 


The  Common  Eel 

dence  for  many  centuries,  there  were  those  who  accepted  them 
only  in  part,  or  rejected  them  altogether.  Pliny  maintained  that 
young  eels  spring  from  the  slime  and  fragments  of  skin  which 
come  off  when  eels  rub  themselves  against  the  rocks. 

Albertus  Magnus  (1,200  years  later)  accepted  Pliny's  views, 
but  says  he  has  heard  that  eels  are  also  born  alive  from  eels! 
Rondelet  (400  years  still  later)  says  that  eels  are  born  not  only 
from  putrefied  matter,  but  also  from  eggs  produced  by  copulation 
of  male  and  female  eels. 

Walpiglie  (i7th  century)  declares  that  the  ovaries  of  eels 
are  fatty  productions,  which  he  calls  "striae  adiposse."  Redi,  of 
the  same  period,  claimed  that  eels  are  produced  just  the  same 
as  other  fishes  are,  while  Leuwenhoek,  an  expert  microscopist, 
found  certain  small  parasites  in  the  bladder  of  an  eel,  and,  mis- 
taking the  bladder  for  the  uterus,  thought  these  parasites  were 
young  eels. 

Not  until  the  i8th  century  was  the  presence  of  ovaries  in 
the  female  eel  demonstrated  by  Sancassini,  a  learned  surgeon  of 
Comacchio,  Italy.  But  his  demonstration  was  questioned  by 
other  investigators.  Apparently  the  first  to  describe  fully  the 
ovaries  and  eggs  of  the  eel  was  the  Italian  naturalist,  Mondini, 
in  1777,  so  that  the  discovery  of  the  female  eel  must  date  from 
him. 

The  search  for  the  male  eel  was  scarcely  less  prolonged  or 
less  interesting.  The  details  need  not  be  given  here.  Not  until 
1873  was  anyone  successful.  On  November  29  of  that  year,  Dr. 
Syrski,  then  at  Trieste,  made  the  important  discovery,  which 
many  other  investigators  have  since  verified. 

It  is  now  comparatively  easy  to  distinguish  the  sexes  of  the 
eel.  In  the  first  place  the  male  is  smaller  than  the  female  of 
the  same  age.  The  ovaries  of  the  female  are  two  yellowish  or 
reddish-white  elongate  bodies,  as  broad  as  one's  finger,  lying  along- 
side the  backbone,  arranged  in  numerous  transverse  folds,  extending 
throughout  the  entire  length  of  the  abdominal  cavity.  These  two 
bodies  are  so  large  as  not  to  be  easily  overlooked,  but  they  contain 
such  a  quantity  of  fatty  cells,  and  the  eggs  imbedded  in  them 
are  so  small  and  delicate,  that  one  might  easily  believe,  even 
after  a  superficial  microscopic  examination,  that  the  whole  organ 
consists  only  of  fat.  The  testes,  or  spermatic  organs  of  the 
male,  are  not  ribbon-shaped  like  the  ovaries,  but  represent  two 

78 


The  Common    Eel 

longitudinal  rows,  each  with  about  50  lobules.  These  spermatic 
organs  can  be  distinguished  at  once  from  the  ovaries,  not  only 
by  their  lobular  form,  but  also  by  their  shining  glassy  appear- 
ance. 

In  1877  Jacoby  made  careful  investigations  of  a  number  of 
problems  concerning  the  eel,  and  since  then  other  investigators 
have  worked  upon  the  sume  problems,  until  now  all  essential 
or  important  facts  in  the  life  history  of  the  eel  are  well  under- 
stood. These  may  be  briefly  stated  as  follows: 

The  common  eel  spawns  in  salt  water,  usually  off  the 
mouths  of  rivers,  on  mudbanks,  to  which  they  go  in  great 
numbers  at  the  spawning  time,  which  is  in  the  fall.  On  these 
mudbanks  the  eggs  are  laid,  fertilization  takes  place,  and  the 
young  eels  develop  within  two  or  three  months  after  hatching.  At 
the  beginning  of  the  second  spring  these  young  find  their  way 
to  mouths  of  the  rivers,  which  they  ascend  in  incredible  numbers. 
In  these  freshwater  streams  and  lakes  they  remain  until  of  adult 
size,  when  they  return  to  the  sea  for  spawning  purposes.  This 
seaward  migration  takes  place  in  the  fall,  at  which  time  large 
numbers  are  caught  in  traps.  During  this  migration,  the  eels, 
like  the  salmon  and  the  shad,  do  not  take  any  food.  Having 
once  reached  the  sea,  they  do  not  remain  close  to  shore,  but  go 
out  a  distance  to  deeper  water,  where  the  development  of  the 
reproductive  organs  takes  place  very  rapidly.  This  development 
is  extraordinarily  rapid  when  the  immature  state,  in  which  the 
migrating  eels  are  found,  is  considered;  they  probably  become 
sexually  mature  within  five  or  six  weeks  after  reaching  the  sea. 
The  spawning  then  takes  place,  after  which  both  the  old  males 
and  females  die,  never  returning  to  fresh  water  the  second 
time.  The  very  unusual  rapid  development  of  their  reproductive 
organs  has  such  an  effect  upon  the  systems  of  the  adult  eels  that 
they  die  soon  after  the  act  of  reproduction.  This  is  the  reason 
that  adult  eels  are  never  seen  migrating  up-stream. 

The  down-stream  movement  occurs  usually  at  night,  com- 
mencing soon  after  sunset,  is  strongest  from  midnight  to 
2  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  ceases  an  hour  or  more  before  sunrise. 

The  common  eel  is  remarkably  prolific.  The  number  of 
eggs  produced  by  a  single  female  32  inches  long  has  been  esti- 
mated at  10,700,000.  In  the  spring  of  the  year  thousands  of 
young  eels  may  be  seen  at  the  foot  of  waterfalls  and  dams, 

79 


The  Common  Eel 

trying  to  make  their  way  up  stream.  Professor  Baird  has  esti- 
mated that  in  the  spring  and  summer  one  might  see  hundreds 
of  wagon  loads  of  young  eels  at  the  foot  of  Niagara  Falls, 
crawling  over  the  slippery  rocks  and  squirming  in  the  seething 
whirlpools. 

In  their  feeding  habits  eels  are  chiefly  scavengers,  feeding 
upon  all  manner  of  refuse,  but  preferring  dead  fish  or  other 
animal  matter.  They  are  a  very  undesirable  inmate  of  rivers 
in  which  fish  are  caught  in  gillnets.  It  is  said  that  the  des- 
truction of  shad  and  herring  by  eels  in  the  Susquehanna  and 
other  Atlantic  coastal  streams  is  enormous.  It  is  not  infrequent 
that  when  a  gillnet  is  lifted  the  greater  part  of  the  catch  con- 
sists simply  of  heads  and  backbones,  the  remainder  having  been 
devoured  by  myriads  of  eels  in  the  short  time  the  net  was  left 
out.  The  spawning  shad  is  considered  by  them  a  special 
delicacy,  and  are  often  found  emptied  at  the  vent  and  com- 
pletely gutted  of  the  ovaries.  Sometimes  a  shad,  apparently  full, 
is  found  to  contain  several  eels  of  considerable  size. 

The  commercial  value  of  the  common  eel  as  a  food-fish 
has  long  been  well  established.  It  justly  holds  a  high  rank  as 
an  article  of  food  among  all  who  are  familiar  with  it,  and  in 
the  markets  it  always  brings  a  good  price. 

The  eel  is  caught  in  all  sorts  of  ways — in  traps,  eel-pots, 
seines,  and  on  set-lines;  and  "bobbing  for  eels"  is  a  classic  in 
angling  methods. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  behind,  covered  with  imbedded 
scales  which  are  linear  in  form  and  placed  obliquely,  some  of 
them  at  right  angles  to  the  others;  lateral  line  well  developed; 
head  long  and  conical,  2  to  2\  in  trunk;  eye  small,  over  angle 
of  mouth;  teeth  small,  subequal,  in  bands  on  each  jaw,  and  a 
long  patch  on  the  vomer;  tongue  free  at  the  tip;  lower  jaw 
projecting ;  gill-openings  small  and  slit-like  ;  nostrils  superior, 
well  separated,  the  anterior  with  a  slight  tube;  distance  from 
front  of  dorsal  to  vent  i£  to  2  in  head;  pectoral  fins  2f  to 
jjf  in  head  Colour  brown  or  yellow-olivaceous,  nearly  plain, 
paler  below,  the  colour,  quite  variable. 

The  common  eel  reaches  a  considerable  size.  An  example 
taken  in  1899  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  measured  43  inches  in 
length,  and  weighed  6|  pounds.  Examples  4  to  5  feet  long 
have  been  reported,  though  the  average  length  of  those  caught 
probably  does  not  exceed  2\  to  3  feet. 

80 


THE  CONGER  EELS 

Family   VII.     Leptocephalidce 

THIS  family  includes  those  eels  which  are  scaleless,  and  have 
the  tongue  largely  free  in  front,  the  body  moderately  elongate, 
the  end  of  the  tail  surrounded  by  a  fin,  the  posterior  nostril 
remote  from  the  upper  lip  and  near  the  eye,  and  the  pectoral 
fins  well  developed.  All  the  species  are  plainly  coloured,  gray- 
ish or  dusky  brown  above,  silvery  below,  and  the  dorsal  edged 
with  black. 

The  jj  recognized  genera  contain  about  15  species,  inhabiting 
most  warm  seas,  usually  at  moderate  depths.  Most  of  the  species 
undergo  a  metamorphosis,  the  young  being  loosely  organized  and 
transparent,  band-shaped  and  with  a  very  small  head. 

a.  Vomerine  teeth   in   bands,   none  of  them  canine-like. 

b.  Dorsal    fin   inserted    behind    the    pectoral,    but   nearer    pectoral 

than  vent ; Leptocephalus,  8 1 

bb.    Dorsal  fin  beginning  over  the  gill-opening;  Conger murcena,  81 
aa.    Vomerine  teeth   uniserial,   some   of  them   canine-like; 

Uroconger,  81 

The  2  species  of  Leptocephalus  in  our  waters  are  L.  conger 
and  L.  caudilimbatus.  The  former  is  the  conger  eel  which  is 
generally  common  on  both  coasts  of  the  Atlantic,  from  Cape  Cod 
to  Brazil  in  America.  It  occurs  also  on  the  coasts  of  Africa  and 
Asia,  but  is  not  known  from  the  eastern  Pacific.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  7  or  8  feet  and,  though  not  much  used  in  this  country, 
it  is  an  important  food-fish  in  Europe.  The  other  species  (L. 
caudilimbatus)  is  found  in  the  tropical  parts  of  the  Atlantic.  It 
is  not  uncommon  in  the  West  Indies  where  it  is  used  as  food, 
and  it  ranges  north  at  least  to  Pensacola  and  the  Bahamas.  It 
also  occurs  about  Madeira. 

Five  species  of  Congermurcena  are  found  in  our  limits.  They 
are  all  of  small  size  and  of  little  food  value. 

Only  one  species  of  Uroconger  is  known  from  our  waters.  It  is 
of  no  value  as  a  food-fish. 


81 


THE  MORAYS 

Family    VIII.      Murcenida 

THESE  may  be  distinguished  from  all  other  eels  by  the  small 
round  gill-openings  and  by  the  absence  of  pectoral  fins.  The 
body  and  fins  are  covered  by  a  thick  leathery  skin,  the  occipital 
region  is  elevated  through  the  development  of  the  strong  muscles 
which  move  the  lower  jaw,  and  the  jaws  are  usually  narrow 
and  armed  with  knife-like  or  else  molar  teeth. 

The  morays  inhabit  tropical  and  subtropical  waters,  and  are 
especially  abundant  in  crevices  about  coral  reefs.  Many  of  the 
species  reach  a  large  size,  and  all  are  voracious  and  pugnacious. 
The  colouration  is  usually  strongly  marked,  the  colour  cells  being 
highly  specialized. 

a.  Vertical  fins    well   developed,    the    dorsal   beginning   before  the 

vent. 

b.  Posterior  nostril    an   oblong  slit,    the  anterior   in   a    short  tube; 

Enchelycore,  83 
bb.    Posterior  nostril  circular,   with  or  without  a  tube. 

c.  Teeth   all,   or   nearly   all,    acute,    none   of  those  in   jaws   obtuse 

or  molar-like. 

d.  Anterior  nostrils  without  tube;   vomerine   teeth  in   many  series; 

lips  with  a  free  fold ; Pylhonictithys,  8  3 

dd.  Anterior  nostrils  each  with  a  long  tube;  vomerine  teeth  in  i 
or  2  series;  lips  continuous  with  skin  of  head. 

e.  Posterior   nostrils   without  tube,    the   margin   sometimes   slightly 

raised. 

/.  Dorsal  fin  inserted  behind  the  head,  over  or  behind  the  gill- 
opening  ; Rabula,  83 

ff.  Dorsal  fin  inserted  on  the  head,  considerably  before  the  gill- 
opening;  Gymnothorax,  83 

ee.  Posterior  nostrils,  as  well  as  anterior,  each  with  a  conspicuous 
tube ; Murcena,  83 

cc.   Teeth    mostly   obtuse,    molar-like; Echidna,  83 

aa.    Vertical  fins   rudimentary,    confined  to  the   end   of  the  tail. 

g.  Cleft  of  mouth  short,  not  half  length  of  head;  snout  moder- 
ate, about  half  the  gape;  tail  about  as  long  as  trunk; 

Uropterygius,  83 

gg.  Cleft  of  mouth  long,  nearly  half  head;  snout  very  short,  less 
than  one-fourth  the  gape;  tail  very  short,  about  half  rest  of 
body ; Channomurcena,  83 


The   Morays 

Of  these  8  genera  only  Gymnothorax  contains  any  species 
of  much  importance  to  us. 

The  species  of  Gymnothorax  are  numerous  in  our  waters. 
They  are  the  most  active  and  voracious  of  eels,  many  of  them  very 
pugnacious,  and  most  of  them  live  in  shallow  water  about  rocks 
and  reefs. 

The  common  spotted  moray  (G.  moringa)  is  found  in  the 
West  Indies,  north  to  Charleston  and  Pensacola  and  south  to  Brazil. 
It  is  the  most  abundant  eel  in  the  West  Indies,  reaches  a  length  of 
2  to  3  feet,  and  is  used  extensively  for  food. 

The  conger  eel  of  California  (G.  mordax)  is  found  from  Point 
Conception  to  Cerros  Island.  It  is  abundant  about  the  Santa  Bar- 
bara Island  and  is  remarkable  for  its  ferocity.  It  is  a  food-fish  of 
some  importance. 

There  are  about  15  other  species  of  Gymnothorax  in  our 
waters,  but  none  of  them  possesses  much  food  value. 

Enchelycore  has  one  species,  common  in  the  West  Indies, 
Pythonichthys,  Rabula,  Echidna,  Uropierygius,  and  Channomurcena, 
have  each  from  I  to  4  species,  in  our  tropical  waters.  None  is  of 
much  food-value. 


..;          THE    TARPONS 

Family  IX.     Elopidce 

BODY  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with  silvery 
cycloid  scales;  head  naked;  mouth  broad,  terminal,  the  lower  jaw 
prominent;  premaxillaries  not  protractile,  short,  the  maxillaries  form- 
ing the  lateral  margins  of  the  upper  jaw;  an  elongate  bony  plate  be- 
tween the  branches  of  the  lower  jaw;  eye  large,  with  an  adipose  eye- 
lid; bands  of  villiform  teeth  in  each  jaw  and  on  vomer,  palatines, 
pterygoids,  tongue,  and  base  of  skull;  no  large  teeth;  opercular  bones 
thin,  with  expanded  membranous  borders;  a  scaly  occipital  collar; 
gill-membranes  entirely  separate,free  from  the  isthmus;  branchiostegals 
numerous  (20  to  35);  gillrakers  long  and  slender;  belly  not  keeled  nor 
serrated,  rather  broad  and  covered  with  ordinary  scales;  lateral  line 
present;  dorsal  fin  inserted  over  or  slightly  behind  the  ventrals; 
caudal  fin  forked;  no  adipose  fin;  dorsal  and  anal  depressible  into  a 
sheath  of  scales;  pectorals  and  ventrals  each  with  a  very  long 
accessory  scale;  pyloric  coeca  numerous. 

Genera  3,  species  4  or  5,  forming  2  well-marked  subfamilies,  both 
widely  distributed  in  the  tropical  seas.  The  species  are  not  much 
valued  as  food,  the  flesh  being  dry  and  bony,  but  they  are  among  the 
greatest  of  game  fishes. 

In  our  waters  we  have  two  genera,  each  represented  by  a 
single  species. 

a.  Pseudobranchiae  none;  body  oblong,  covered  with  large  scales: 
anal  fin  larger  than  the  dorsal;  last  ray  of  dorsal  produced  into 

a  long  filament ; Tarpon,  85 

aa.  Pseudobranchiae  large;  body  elongate,  covered  with  small  scales; 
anal  fin  smaller  than  the  dorsal ;  last  ray  of  dorsal  not  produced 
in  a  filament ; Elops,  87 


GENUS  TAMPON  JORDAN  &  El/ERMANN 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  covered  with  very  large,  thick, 
silvery,  cycloid  scales;  belly  narrow  but  not  carinated,  its  edge 
with  ordinary  scales;  lateral  line  nearly  straight,  its  tubes  radiating 
widely  over  the  surface  of  the  scales;  dorsal  fin  short  and  high, 
inserted  behind  the  ventrals,  the  last  ray  long  and  filamentous;  anal 
fin  falcate,  much  longer  than  the  dorsal,  its  last  ray  produced;  caudal 
widely  forked,  and  more  or  less  scaly.  Only  one  species  known. 

84 


The  Tarpon 


Tarpon 

Tarpon   atlanticus  (Cuvier   &  Valenciennes) 

The  tarpon  occurs  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  from  Long  Island  to 
Brazil,  being  most  common  southward,  particularly  on  the  coasts  of 
Florida.  It  is  a  common  fish  about  Porto  Rico,  where  it  evidently 
breeds. 

The  tarpon  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  6  feet  and  a  weight  of  30  to 
more  than  300  pounds.  The  largest  one  on  record  taken  with  a  hook 
weighed  209  pounds,  and  the  largest  taken  with  a  harpoon  weighed 
383  pounds,  if  we  may  believe  the  record;  but  examples  weighing 
over  loo  pounds  are  not  often  seen.  Among  other  names  by  which 
the  tarpon  is  known  are  tarpum,  savanilla,  savalle,  sabalo,  grand 
ecaille,  and  silver  king,  the  last  being  one  of  its  best  and  most  expres- 
sive designations. 

The  silver  king  is  the  greatest  of  game  fishes.  There  is  none 
more  celebrated  or  deserving  of  higher  praise.  Only  the  few  for- 
tunate anglers  who,  happily  situated,  are  able  to  spend  their  winters 
in  Florida  or  elsewhere  on  our  southern  coast,  have  actually  ex- 
perienced the  pleasure  of  tarpon  fishing,  but  every  lover  of  the  rod  has 
heard  of  the  silver  king  and  has  hoped  that  he  might  some  day  have 
an  opportunity  to  test  the  great  fish's  strength  and  skill. 

Among  the  places  on  our  southern  coast  where  excellent  tarpon 
fishing  has  been  obtained  are  along  the  west  coast  of  Florida  from 
Punta  Gorda  southward  to  Indian  River  and  Lake  Worth,  about 
Key  West,  in  Mississippi  Sound,  and  at  Galveston  and  Corpus  Christi, 
Texas.  Fort  Meyers,  on  the  west  coast  of  Florida  has,  perhaps,  been 
the  most  popular  resort. 

8s 


The  Bony-fish;   Ten-pounder 

Head  4;  depth  3$;  eye  4^;  snout  5;  maxillary  if;  D.  12;  A. 
20;  scales  5-42-5;  branchibstegais  23;  dorsal  filament  longer  than  the 
head.  Colour,  uniform  bright  silvery,  darkish  on  back.  The  propor- 
tional measurements  in  the  young  are  somewhat  different,  in  examples 
of  3  inches  long  being  as  follows:  Head  3^;  depth  4f;  eye  3^; 
snout  4f. 


GENUS  ELOPS  LINNAEUS 

Body  elongate,  covered  with  small,  thin,  silvery  scales;  dorsal 
slightly  behind  ventrals,  its  rays  short;  lateral  line  straight,  its  tubes 
simple.  Large  fishes  of  the  open  seas,  remarkable  for  the  develop- 
ment of  scaly  sheaths.  Only  a  single  species  in  our  waters. 


Bony-fish  ;  Ten-pounder 

Elops  saurus   Linnaeus 

An  abundant  and  widely  distributed  fish,  found  in  all  tropical 
seas;  common  in  America  north  to  the  Carolinas  and  the  Gulf  of 
California.  On  our  coasts  it  is  probably  most  numerous  in  Florida. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  several  pounds. 
The  young  are  ribbon-shaped,  long,  thin,  and  transparent,  passing 
through  a  metamorphosis  analogous  to  that  seen  in  the  conger  eels. 
They  are  at  first  band-shaped,  with  very  small  head  and  loose, 
transparent  tissues.  From  this  condition  they  become  gradually 
shorter  and  more  compact,  shrinking  from  j\  inches  to  2  inches  in 
length.  During  these  stages  the  young  of  this  species,  the  lady-fish, 
and  other  fishes  which  undergo  similar  changes,  are  the  so-called 

86 


FENPOUNDER,  Elops  saurus 


BONEFISH,  Albula  vulpes 


The  Bony-fish;  Ten-Pounder 

"  ghost-fishes  "  which  are  sometimes  thrown  up  on  the  beach  in  large 
numbers  by  the  waves. 

The  bony-fish  rejoices  in  a  multiplicity  of  vernacular  names, 
among  which  are  big-eyed  herring,  piojo,  matajuelo  real,  chiro,  Liza, 
Francesca,  ten-pounder,  and  John  Mariggle.  Its  excellent  qualities 
as  a  game-fish  are  only  beginning  to  be  appreciated. 

Head  4|;  depth  5  to  6;  eye  4  to  5;  snout  4^;  maxillary  if; 
mandible  i^;  interorbital  5f ;  D.  20;  A.  13;  V.  15;  B.  30;  pectoral 
if;  ventral  2;  caudal  f;  scales  13-110  to  120-12;  gular  plate  3  to  4 
times  as  long  as  broad.  Body  very  elongate;  head  small  and 
pointed;  mouth  very  large,  the  extremely  long  maxillary  reaching  far 
beyond  the  eye;  jaws  subequal;  caudal  lobes  long  and  slender. 
Colour,  bluish  above;  the  sides  silvery;  white  beneath. 


THE   LADY-FISHES 

Family  X.  Albulidce 

BODY  rather  long,  not  much  compressed,  covered  with  rather 
small,  brilliantly  silvery  scales;  head  naked;  snout  conic,  subquad- 
rangular,  shaped  like  that  of  a  pig  and  overlapping  the  small,  in- 
ferior, horizontal  mouth;  maxillary  rather  strong,  short,  with  a 
distinct  supplemental  bone;  premaxillaries  short,  not  protractile; 
jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth;  broad 
patches  of  coarse,  blunt  teeth  on  the  tongue;  eye  large,  median  in 
head,  a  bony  ridge  above  it,  and  almost  covered  with  an  an- 
nular adipose  eyelid;  preopercle  with  a  broad,  flat,  membranaceous 
edge;  pseudobranchiae  present;  gill-membranes  entirely  separate 
and  free  from  the  isthmus;  a  fold  of  skin  across  gill-membranes 
anteriorly;  no  gular  plate;  lateral  line  present;  belly  flattish;  cov- 
ered with  ordinary  scales;  caudal  widely  forked. 

This  family  contains  but  a  single  species. 


Lady-fish  ;   Bone-fish  ;   Banana-fish 

Albiila  vulpes   (Linnaeus) 

This  beautiful  and  active  fish  is  almost  universally  distributed 
on  sandy  coasts  in  all  tropical  seas.  It  ranges  northward  as  far 
as  San  Diego  and  Long  Island,  and  is  generally  abundant.  It  is 
a  fish  of  very  attractive  appearance,  usually  litttle  valued  as  food, 
though  in  some  places,  as  at  Key  West,  it  is  held  in  high 
esteem.  As  a  game-fish  it  is  highly  appreciated  by  those  famil- 
iar with  it.  It  resembles,  in  this  respect,  the  ten-pounder. 

88 


Lady  Fish;   Bone   Pish;  Banana  Pish 

The  young  of  this  species  pass  through  a  metamorphosis, 
analogous  to  that  seen  in  the  conger  eels,  the  ten-pounder, 
and  the  awa.  They  for  a  time  are  elongate,  band-shaped,  with 
very  small  head  and  loose  transparent  tissues.  From  this  condi- 
tion they  become  gradually  shorter  and  more  compact,  shrinking 
from  3  or  3^  inches  to  2  inches  in  length.  In  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia where  this  species  abounds,  these  band-shaped  young  are 
often  thrown  by  the  waves  on  the  beach  in  great  masses. 

Head  3f;  depth  4;  D.  15;  A.  8;  scales  9-71-7.  Upper  lobe 
of  caudal  the  longer;  a  broad  band  of  peculiar,  elongate,  mem- 
branaceous  scales  along  middle  line  of  back;  accessory  ventral 
scale  large.  Colour,  brilliantly  silvery  on  sides,  olivaceous  above; 
back  and  sides  with  faint  streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales;  fins 
plain;  axils  dusky.  Length  i£  to  3  feet. 


THE   MOONEYES 

Family    XL     Hiodontidce 

BODY  elongate,  compressed,  covered  with  moderate-sized, 
brilliantly  silvery,  cycloid  scales;  head  naked,  short,  the  snout  blunt; 
mouth  moderate,  oblique,  terminal,  the  jaws  about  equal;  premaxil- 
laries  not  protractile;  dentition  very  complete;  premaxillary  and 
dentary  bones  with  small,  wide-set,  cardiform  teeth;  maxillaries 
with  weak  teeth ;  a  row  of  strong  teeth  around  the  margin  of  the 
tongue,  the  anterior  canine  and  very  strong;  between  these  is  a 
band  of  short,  close-set  teeth;  vomer  with  a  long,  double  series  of 
close-set,  small  teeth;  similar  series  on  the  palatines,  sphenoid  and 
pterygoids;  eye  very  large,  the  adipose  eyelid  not  much  developed; 
preorbital  very  narrow;  nostrils  large,  those  of  the  same  side  close 
together,  separated  by  a  flap;  gill-membranes  not  connected,  free 
from  the  isthmus,  a  fold  of  skin  covering  their  base;  no  gular 
plate;  branchiostegals  8  to  10;  gill-rakers  few,  short  and  thick;  no 
pseudobranchiae;  lateral  line  straight;  belly  not  serrated;  dorsal  fin 
rather  posterior;  anal  elongate,  low;  ventrals  well  developed, 
caudal  strongly  forked;  no  adipose  fin;  stomach  horseshoe-shaped; 
without  blind  sac;  one  pyloric  ccecum;  air-bladder  large;  no  ovi- 
duct, the  eggs  falling  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen  before 
exclusion. 

This  family  contains  a  single  genus,  with  3  species,  inhabit- 
ing the  fresh  waters  of  the  Great  Lakes  and  the  Mississippi 
Valley.  They  are  all  handsome  and  gamy  fishes,  of  little  value  as 
food. 


GENUS  HIODON  IE  SUEUR 

Characters  of  the  genus  included  above. 

a.  Belly   in   front   of  ventrals   carinated;    dorsal   with    9   developed 

rays ; alosoides,  9 1 

aa.    Belly   in   front    of  ventrals   not    carinated;     dorsal   with    n  or 
12  developed  rays. 

b.  Belly   behind   ventrals   carinated;   eye  3   in    head;. .  .tergisus,  92 
bb.    Belly   nowhere   carinated;   eye  2\  in   head; selenops,  93 

go 


Toothed  Herring ;   La   Queche 

Toothed   Herring  ;   La  Queche 

Hiodon  alosoides  (Rafinesque) 

This  fish  is  found  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  and  north- 
ward, and  is  most  common  northwestward.  It  prefers  the  lakes 
and  larger  streams.  It  is  a  beautiful,  attractive  fish,  reaching  a 
length  of  8  to  12  inches. 

This  and  the  next  species,  while  of  little  value  as  food,  are 
of  considerable  interest  to  the  anglers  of  the  upper  Mississippi 
Valley  states.  They  are  eager  biters  and  take  indiscriminately 
the  feathered  ^ures,  small  spoons,  grasshoppers,  grubs  and  other 
natural  bait. 

According  to  Mr.  W.  C.  Harris,  they  rise  freely  to  the  arti- 
ficial fly  in  the  early  spring  months,  but  seem  to  disregard  it  as 
warm  weather  approaches,  at  which  time  they  favour  the  grass- 
hopper above  all  other  lures.  In  middle  Canada  they  are  said  to 
take  the  fly  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  and  anglers  of  that 
section  prize  highly  the  sport  of  casting  for  them.  In  these 
waters  this  fish  is  said  to  leap,  when  hooked,  repeatedly  in  the  air. 

Head  4^-5  depth  3^;  D.  9;  A.  32;  scales  6-56-7.  Body 
closely  compressed,  becoming  deep  in  the  adult,  the  ventral  edge 
everywhere  carinated;  maxillary  reaching  beyond  middle  of  eye; 
caudal  peduncle  rather  stouter  than  in  the  next  species,  and  the  fin 
not  so  deeply  forked;  back  less  arched  and  snout  blunter  than 
in  the  other  species,  the  mouth  larger  and  more  oblique,  the  pec- 
torals and  the  ventrals  shorter.  Colour,  bluish  above,  sides  sil- 
very, with  golden  lustre. 


The  Mooneye 


Mooneye 

Hiodon  tergisus  Le  Sueur 

This  fish  closely  resembles  the  toothed  herring,  from  which 
it  may  best  be  distinguished  by  its  larger  dorsal  fin  and  in 
having  the  belly  in  front  of  the  ventrals  not  carinated. 

The  mooneye  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot  or  more,  and  is 
found  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley,  the  Great  Lakes  region 
and  northwestward  at  least  to  the  Assiniboine  River.  It  is  usu- 
ally common  in  the  larger  streams  and  lakes,  and  is  a  very 
handsome  fish,  not  valued  as  food,  the  flesh  being  dry  and  full 
of  small  bones.  As  a  game-fish  it  does  not  differ  materially 
from  the  toothed  herring. 

Head  4^;  depth  3;  eye  3;  D.  12;  A.  28;  scales  5-55-7. 
Body  oblong,  moderately  compressed;  eye  large,  the  maxillary 
barely  reaching  its  middle;  pectoral  fin  not  reaching  ventrals;  the 
latter  scarcely  reaching  vent;  belly  behind  ventrals  somewhat 
carinated,  but  not  in  front.  Colour,  brilliantly  silvery,  olive- 
shaded  above. 


Southern  Mooneye 


Southern   Mooneye 

Hiodon  selenops  Jordan  &  Bean 

In  certain  southern  rivers,  the  Tennessee,  Cumberland  and 
Alabama,  is  found  this  species  of  Hiodon  which  differs  from  H. 
tergisus  chiefly  in  not  having  the  belly  at  all  carinate.  Nothing 
has  been  recorded  as  to  its  habits. 

Head  4|;  depth  4;  eye  2£;  D.  12;  A.  27;  scales  50.  Body 
more  slender  than  in  the  other  species,  little  compressed;  not 
much  elevated,  the  belly  nowhere  carinated;  eye  very  large; 
pectoral  not  reaching  ventrals;  colouration,  clear  silvery. 


93 


THE    MILK-FISHES 

Family  XII.     Chanida 

BODY  oblong,  compressed,  covered  with  small,  firm,  adherent 
scales;  lateral  line  distinct;  abdomen  broad  and  flattish;  snout 
depressed;  mouth  small,  anterior,  the  lower  jaw  with  a  small 
symphyseal  tubercle;  no  teeth;  eye  with  an  adipose  eyelid;  gill- 
membranes  broadly  united,  free  from  the  isthmus;  branchioste- 
gals  4;  pseudobranchise  well  developed;  an  accessory  branchial 
organ  in  a  cavity  behind  the  gill  cavity;  dorsal  fin  opposite  the 
ventrals;  anal  shorter  than  the  dorsal;  mucous  membrane  of  the 
oesophagus  raised  into  a  spiral  fold;  intestine  with  many  con- 
volutions; colour  silvery. 


The  Awa  or  Milk-fish 

This  genus  contains  5  species,  only  one  of  which  is  found 
in  our  waters.  This  is  Chanos  chanos,  the  milk-fish,  or  awa,  a 
fish  of  very  wide  distribution.  '  It  is  found  on  most  sandy  shores 
of  the  Pacific  and  Indian  oceans.  It  is  very  abundant  in  the 
Gulf  of  California  and  among  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  where  it  is 
an  important  food-fish.  In  the  Hawaiian  Islands  it  is  found  with 
the  ama-ama,  or  mullet,  in  the  artificial  fish-ponds  of  the  old 
kings.  The  awa  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  5  feet. 

04 


THE  HERRINGS 

Family  XIII.     Clupeida 

BODY  oblong  or  elongate,  usually  much  compressed,  covered 
with  cycloid  or  pectinated  scales;  belly  sometimes  rounded, 
sometimes  compressed,  in  which  case  it  is  often  armed  with 
bony  serratures;  head  naked,  usually  compressed;  mouth  rather 
large,  terminal,  the  jaws  about  equal;  premaxillaries  not  pro- 
tractile; teeth  mostly  small,  often  feeble  or  wanting;  gillrakers 
long  and  slender;  gill-membranes  not  connected,  free  from  the 
isthmus;  branchiostegals  usually  free,  6  to  15;  pseudobranchiae 
present;  no  lateral  line;  anal  fin  usually  rather  long,  caudal 
forked. 

This  is  a  large  family,  embracing  about  30  genera  and  150 
species.  Most  of  the  species  are  saltwater,  inhabiting  all  seas, 
and  usually  swimming  in  immense  schools.  Many  species  are 
anadromous,  ascending  freshwater  streams  to  spawn,  and  some 
species  remain  in  fresh  water  permanently. 

The  northern  and  freshwater  species,  as  in  many  other 
families,  differ  from  the  tropical  forms  in  having  a  larger  num- 
ber of  vertebrae. 

None  of  the  species  is  considered  a  game-fish,  but  many  of 
them  are  among  the  most  important  food-fishes.  In  American 
waters  the  family  is  represented  by  16  genera,  and  about  38 
species,  some  10  of  which  are  of  commercial  importance. 

a.  Scales    with   their    posterior    margins    entire  and   rounded;    in- 

testinal  canal    of  moderate   length. 

b.  Vomer   with   teeth ; Clupea,  96 

bb.  Vomer  without  teeth. 

c.  Ventral   scutes   very   weak,    the    belly    more    or    less    rounded; 

ventrals   under  middle   of  dorsal ; Clupanodon,  99 

cc.  Ventral   scutes    strong,    the    belly    compressed;  ventrals  below 
or  slightly   behind  front   of  dorsal. 

d.  Premaxillaries    meeting   at    a   large    angle,    so    that    the    tip    of 

the    upper    jaw    does    not    appear    to    be    notched;    cheek 

longer  than    deep ; Pomolobus  101 

dd.  Premaxillaries    meeting    in    front    at    a    very    acute   angle,    so 
that  the    emarginate  front    of   the    upper   jaw    receives   the 

95 


The  Common  Herring 

slender    tip    of   the    lower;    fore    part     of    the    cheek    very 

deep,  deeper   than   long ; Alosa,    104 

aa.  Scales   with   their   posterior   margins    vertical,    and   pectinate  or 
fluted;   intestine    elongate; Brevoortia,   108 


GENUS    CLUPEA    LINNAEUS 
The    True    Herrings 

The  true  herrings  have  the  body  elongate,  the  vertebrae 
numerous,  the  ventral  serratures  weak,  and  an  ovate  patch  of 
small  but  persistent  teeth  on  the  vomer.  The  few  species 
belong  to  the  northern  seas,  where  the  number  of  individuals 
is  very  great,  exceeding  perhaps  those  of  any  other  genus  of  fishes. 
In  America  there  are  but  2  species,  both  of  which  spawn  in 
the  sea. 

a.   Belly    serrate    both    before     and     behind     ventrals;     anal     rays 

17; harengus,  96 

aa.  Belly  serrate   behind   ventrals   only;   anal   rays     14; 

pallasii,  99 


Common    Herring 

Clupea   harengus    Linnaeus 

The  herring  is  beyond  question  the  most  important  of  food 
fishes  in  the  Atlantic,  if  not  in  the  world.  Distributed  as  it  is 
throughout  the  whole  of  the  North  Atlantic,  it  affords  occupation 
for  immense  fleets  of  fishing  boats,  and  according  to  an  esti- 

96 


The    Common  Herring 

mate  made  by  Professor  Huxley,  the  number  taken  every  year 
out  of  the  North  Sea  and  Atlantic  is  at  least  3,000,000,000,  with 
a  weight  of  at  least  1,500,000,000  pounds.  This  estimate  is 
probably  too  low.  Carl  Dambeck  estimates  the  average  yield  of 
herring  in  Norway  from  1850  to  1870  at  1,452,000,000  pounds, 
and  the  annual  yield  on  the  Swedish  coast  has  been  put  at 
300,000,000  pounds.  In  1873  the  catch  on  the  Scotch  coast  was 
188,000,000  pounds,  which  employed  45,494  men,  using  15,095 
boats.  In  the  same  period  15,331  boats  were  used  in  the 
English  fisheries.  If  to  these  we  add  the  yield  on  the  coasts  of 
Ireland,  Germany,  Belgium,  France  and  America,  the  total  is 
enormous.  But  3,000,000,000  herring  is  probably  no  greater  than 
the  number  contained  in  a  single  shoal,  if  it  covers  half  a 
dozen  square  miles,  and  shoals  of  much  greater  size  are  on 
record.  And,  according  to  Professor  Huxley,  there  must  be 
scattered  through  the  North  Sea  and  the  North  Atlantic,  at  one 
and  the  same  time,  scores  of  shoals,  any  one  of  which  would 
go  a  long  way  toward  supplying  the  whole  of  man's  consump- 
tion of  herring. 

The  herring  is  found  in  the  temperate  and  colder  parts  of 
the  North  Atlantic.  On  our  coast  it  has  been  found  as  far 
south  as  Cape  Hatteras,  though  it  is  not  abundant  south  of 
New  England.  It  rarely  enters  brackish  water,  but  spawns  in 
the  sea.  Unlike  many  other  fishes,  the  herring,  as  well  as 
other  species  of  Clupeidce,  are  regarded  as  particularly  delicious 
at  spawning  time,  and  most  of  the  herring  fisheries  are  carried 
on  when  the  fish  are  in  full  roe.  The  herring  fishery  in 
America  is  entirely  a  shore  fishery.  With  the  exception  of  a 
few  occasionally  taken  for  bait  by  the  line  fishermen  on  the 
banks,  our  herring  are  all  caught  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  shore.  Although  the  herring  fishery  in  America  has  never 
assumed  the  importance  which  it  has  long  held  in  Europe,  the 
herring  is  probably  no  less  abundant  here  than  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic.  The  principal  herring  fisheries  on  our  coast 
are  north  of  Cape  Cod,  and  Newfoundland  is  the  most  northern 
point  where  important  fisheries  are  located.  From  the  Bay  of 
Fundy  to  Cape  Cod  the  fishing-ground  is  practically  continuous. 

The  herring  fisheries  are  carried  on  chiefly  by'  means  of 
brush  weirs,  gillnets,  and  torching.  The  latter  method  is  the 
most  primitive,  and  is  saia  to  be  effectual  only  after  the 

97 


The  Common  Herring 

weather  has  become  cool.  Formerly  a  birch-bark  torch,  now 
one  of  oil,  was  fixed  to  the  bow  of  the  boat,  which  is  rapidly 
rowed  through  the  water  by  several  fishermen,  while  another 
with  a  large  dip-net  is  stationed  in  the  bow.  The  fish  rise 
toward  the  light  in  numbers  so  long  as  the  boat  is  kept  moving 
rapidly,  and  large  quantities  are  dipped  into  the  boat.  At  other 
times  the  torch  is  used  to  lure  the  fish  into  the  weirs,  the 
light  being  then  extinguished,  and  the  operation  repeated  as 
often  as  necessary.  Gillnets,  however,  are  now  the  appliances 
chiefly  in  use  in  the  herring  fishery.  They  are  set  at  some 
distance  below  the  surface,  and  anchored  at  one  or  both  ends. 
The  quantities  caught  are  very  great,  frequently  sufficient  to 
sink  the  buoys. 

The  food  of  the  herring  consists  of  small  animal  organisms, 
chiefly  of  two  small  crustaceans,  viz.:  copepods,  or  "red  seed," 
and  schizopod  crustaceans,  or  the  "shrimp"  of  the  fishermen. 
Among  the  enemies  of  the  herring  which  may  be  mentioned  are 
the  cod,  haddock,  pollock,  hake,  dogfish,  albacore,  squid,  por- 
poises, seals  and  finback  whales,  each  of  which  is  very  des- 
tructive. 

As  a  food-fish  the  herring  is  of  very  great  importance.  It 
is  utilized  in  many  different  ways.  The  great  quantities  brought 
to  Gloucester,  New  York  and  elsewhere  in  winter  from  New- 
foundland are  sold  fresh.  Those  caught  on  the  New  England 
coast  are  smoked,  salted  or  pickled,  packed  as  sardines  or 
used  as  bait  chiefly  in  the  cod  fisheries.  On  the  Maine  coast  the 
most  important  use  is  as  sardines. 

Head  4^;  depth  4^;  eye  4;  D.  18;  A.  17;  scales  57;  ventral 
scutes  28+13;  vertebrae  50.  Body  elongate,  compressed;  scales 
loose;  cheek  longer  than  high;  maxillary  reaching  middle  of  eye; 
upper  jaw  not  emarginate,  the  lower  jaw  much  projecting; 
vomer  with  a  small  ovate  patch  of  small  permanent  teeth;  pala- 
tine teeth  small  or  absent;  tongue  with  small  teeth;  gillrakers 
very  long,  fine  and  slender,  about  40  on  lower  arm  of  first 
arch;  eye  longer  than  snout;  abdomen  serrated  in  front  as  well 
as  behind,  the  serratures  weak.  Colour,  bluish,  silvery  below, 
with  bright  reflections;  peritoneum  dusky. 


98 


California  Herring 

California   Herring 

Clupea  pallasii  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes 

The  California  herring,  known  in  some  earlier  publications  as 
Clupea  mirabilis  Girard,  is  found  in  the  North  Pacific  from  San 
Diego  to  Kamchatka  and  is  everywhere  known  as  "  herring/' 
It  is  scarcely  different  in  size,  appearance,  or  qualities  from  the 
Atlantic  species.  It  is  found  the  entire  length  of  our  Pacific 
Coast,  being  exceedingly  abundant  northward.  All  the  bays  and 
outlets  of  Puget  Sound  are  filled  with  them  in  summer.  South 
of  Point  Conception  they  are  seldom  seen  except  in  winter. 
They  are  so  abundant  in  San  Francisco  Bay  in  spring  that  prac- 
tically no  marke!  can  be  found  for  them.  At  San  Diego  they 
spawn  in  the  bay  in  January.  Farther  north  the  spawning 
season  is  later.  They  are  fattest  and  bring  the  best  price  in 
early  winter.  They  are  smoked  and  dried,  or  salted,  or  sent  fresh 
to  the  markets.  Sometimes  oil  is  expressed  from  them. 

The  California  herring  is  an  excellent  food-fish,  and  large  quan- 
tities are  used  annually.  It  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches. 

Head  4^;  depth  4;  D.  16;  A.  14;  scales  52.  Lower  jaw 
strongly  projecting,  the  upper  not  emarginate;  belly  scarcely  corn-- 
pressed in  front  of  ventrals,  serrate  only  between  ventrals  and  anal; 
gill-rakers  very  long  and  slender;  vomerine  teeth  weaker  than  in 
the  Atlantic  herring;  usually  a  few  teeth  on  tongue  and  premax- 
illaries;  insertion  of  dorsal  slightly  nearer  front  of  eye  than  base  of 
caudal.  Colour,  bluish  above,  silvery  on  sides  and  below;  perito- 
neum dusky. 


GENUS  CLUPANODON  LACEPEDE 
The  True  Sardines 

This  genus  is  close  to  Clupea,  which  it  resembles  in  form 
of  body  and  the  weak  ventral  serratures.  It  differs,  however,  in 
having  no  teeth  on  the  vomer;  teeth  in  jaws  mostly  weak;  scales 
thin  and  deciduous  ;  adipose  eyelid  present  ;  gillrakers  very 
numerous.  There  are  about  6  species  in  this  genus,  all  confined 
chiefly  to  the  2  temperate  zones,  and  all  closely  related  to  tne 

9Q 


California  Sardine 

European    sardine,    Clupanodon  pilchardus,     with    which    they   all 
agree  in  richness  of  flesh. 

The  3  genera,  Clupea,  Clupanodon  and  Pomolobus,  are  all 
closely  related  and  perhaps  should  be  united. 

a.   Opercle  conspicuously  striate;   side  with  a  series  of  round  black 

spots ; cceruleus,   i oo 

aa.    Opercle  scarcely   striate;   side   without   black  spots; 

pseudohispanicus,   100 

California  Sardine 

Clupanodon    cceruletis  (Girard) 

This  excellent  food-fish  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot,  and  occurs 
on  our  Pacific  Coast  from  Puget  Sound  southward  to  Magdalena 
Bay.  It  is  abundant  on  the  California  coast,  and  spawns  in  the 
open  sea.  It  resembles  the  European  sardine,  but  has  no  teeth, 
and  the  belly  is  less  strongly  serrate. 

Head  4;  depth  5;  D.  14;  A.  17;  scales  53;  scutes  18  +  14;  ver- 
tebrae about  50.  Body  slender,  subtusiform,  the  back  rather  broad; 
ventral  serratures  very  weak;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  middle 
of  eye;  mandible  little  projecting,  the  tip  included;  no  teeth  in 
mouth  ;  gillrakers  longer  than  the  eye,  very  slender  and  numer- 
ous, close-set,  some  50  or  60  on  lower  limb  of  arch;  a  frill  of  en- 
larged scales  with  dendritic  striae  about  nape  and  shoulder;  insertion 
of  dorsal  considerably  nearer  snout  than  base  of  caudal.  Colour, 
dark  bluish  above,  silvery  below;  a  series  of  round  black  spots 
running  backward  from  level  of  eye,  bounding  the  dark  colour  of 
the  back;  similar  smaller  spots  above,  forming  lines  along  the  rows 
of  scales;  these  spots  sometimes  obscure  or  wanting,  especially  in 
old  examples;  tip  of  lower  jaw  yellow;  lower  part  of  dorsal  yel- 
lowish; peritoneum  black;  flesh  darker  and  more  oily  than  that  of 
the  herring. 

Spanish   Sardine 

Clupanodon  pseudohispanicus  (Poey) 

This  is  called  sardina  de  Espana  in  Cuba  and  bang  in  Jamaica. 
If  is  found  from  Pensacola  southward  and  is  abundant  about  Cuba. 
It  is  sometimes  carried  north  in  the  Gulf  Stream  to  Woods  Hole 
and  Cape  Cod.  It  reaches  8  inches  in  length  and  in  the  West 
Indies  is  of  considerable  value  as  a  food-fish. 


The  Alewives 


It  very  closely  resembles  the  European  sardine  (Clupanodon 
pilchardus),  but  is  distinguished  by  the  absence  of  radiating 
striae  on  the  opercles.  From  the  California  sardine  it  is  distin- 
guished by  the  smooth  opercles,  unspotted  sides,  and  the  pres- 
ence of  minute  teeth  on  tongue  and  lower  jaw. 


GENUS  POMOLOBUS  RAFINESQUE 
The  Alewives 

This  genus  is  very  close  to  Clupea  from  which  it  seems  to 
differ  only  in  having  no  teeth  on  the  vomer. 

As  here  understood  this  genus  contains  4  known  species, 
each  of  some  value  as  food. 

a.  Teeth    present   in   the   jaws,    those    on   tip   of  each    jaw   mostly 

persistent; chrysochloris,     101 

aa.    Teeth    in   jaws   disappearing   with   age. 

b.  Peritoneum    pale. 

c.  Head   long,    about  4   in    length ; mediocris,    102 

cc.    Head   shorter   and   heavier,    about   4!   in    length; 

pseudoharengus,   103 
bb.    Peritoneum   black ; cestivalis,   104 

Fresh-water  Skipjack  ;    Blue   Herring 

Pomolobus   cJirysockloris  Rafinesque 

This  species  is  found  in  all  the  larger  streams  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  and  has  been  introduced  through  canals  into  Lakes 
Erie  and  Michigan.  As  ordinarily  seen  it  is  strictly  a  fresh-water 
fish,  but  along  the  Gulf  coast  it  enters  salt  water  where  examples 
of  large  size  and  excessive  fatness  are  occasionally  taken.  In 
Lake  Erie  it  is  called  "sawbelly,"  from  the  ventral  scutes.  This 
species  reaches  a  length  of  15  inches,  rarely  takes  the  hook,  and 
is  of  very  little  value  as  a  food-fish. 

Head  jjf;  depth  3f;  eye  4^;  D.  16;  A.  18;  scales  52;  vent- 
ral scutes  20+13.  Body  elliptical,  much  compressed;  head  rather 
slender  and  pointed,  its  upper  profile  straight;  lower  jaw  strongly 


Tailor    Herring ;  Hickory  Shad 

projecting,  its  tip  entering  the  profile;  upper  jaw  emarginate; 
premaxillary,  and  often  tip  of  lower  jaw,  with  persistent  teeth 
of  moderate  size;  maxillary  large,  reaching  posterior  part  of  eye; 
eye  large,  well  covered  by  adipose  eyelid;  caudal  peduncle  slender, 
the  caudal  fin  well  forked;  gillrakers  comparatively  few,  short, 
stout,  and  coarse,  about  23  below  angle  of  arch;  opercle  with 
radiating  and  branching  striae.  Colour,  brilliant  blue  above,  sides 
silvery  with  golden  reflections;  no  dark  spots  behind  opercle; 
peritoneum  pale. 


Tailor  Herring;    Hickory  Shad 

Pomolobus  mediocris  (Mitchill) 

This  species  of  herring,  which  is  also  known  as  fall  her- 
ring and  mattowacca,  is  fairly  common  from  Cape  Cod  to  Flor- 
ida. The  name  Mattowacca  is  said  to  be  derived  from  the 
Indian  name  for  Long  Island,  which  was  Mattowaka  or  Mattowax. 
In  the  Potomac  River  it  is  called  "tailor  shad"  or  "fresh- water 
tailor,"  in  contradistinction  to  the  bluefish  which  is  called  "salt- 
water tailor." 

The  centre  of  abundance  of  the  tailor  seems  to  be  in  the 
vicinity  of  Chesapeake  Bay  where  ii  usually  makes  its  appearance 
in  the  rivers  in  the  spring  before  the  shad.  Northward  it  does 
not  usually  enter  streams,  but  southward  it  does  so  regularly. 

It  reaches  a  maximum  length  of  24  inches,  though  examples 
of  more  than  3  pounds'  weight  are  not  often  seen. 

This  species  is  caught  in  great  quantities  in  pound-nets  and 
is  hawked  about  the  streets  of  Washington  and  other  cities  in 


Alewife;  Branch  Herring 

the  spring,  and  is  often  sold  as  shad  to  the  unsuspecting.  Very 
soon  the  market  for  them  ceases  and  they  are  then  used  as  fer- 
tilizer. It  is  also  often  sold  with  the  alewife  and  glut  herring, 
i  tailor  counting  as  2  herring. 

Head  4;  depth  3f;  D.  15;  A.  21;  scales  50;  scutes  20+16. 
Head  rather  long;  lower  jaw  considerably  projecting,  the  upper 
emarginate;  dorsal  fin  inserted  nearer  snout  than  base  of  caudal. 
Colour,  bluish  silvery;  sides  with  rather  faint  longitudinal  stripes; 
peritoneum  pale. 


Alewife  ;   Branch   Herring 

Pomolobus  pseudoharengus  (Wilson) 

This  is  known  also  as  wall-eyed  herring,  big-eyed  herring, 
spring  herring,  blear-eyed  herring,  ellwife,  Gaspereau,  and  doubt- 
less by  many  other  names.  It  is  found  on  our  Atlantic  coast 
from  the  Carolinas  northward  and  is  very  abundant.  It  enters 
fresh-water  streams  to  spawn  and  the  run  usually  precedes  that 
of  the  shad  by  2  or  3  weeks.  It  is  found  also  in  certain  small 
lakes  in  New  York  tributary  to  the  St.  Lawrence  and  in  Lake 
Ontario  where  it  is  exceedingly  abundant.  It  seems  to  be  land- 
locked in  these  lakes  and  is  greatly  dwarfed  in  size.  In  Lake 
Ontario  myriads  die  every  year  in  early  summer. 

Head  4f;  depth  3^;  eye  3^;  D.  16;  A.  19;  scales  50;  scutes 
21  +  14;  gillrakers  30  to  40  below  the  angle.  Body  rather  deep 
and  compressed;  head  short,  nearly  as  deep  as  long;  maxillary 

103 


Glut  Herring ;    Summer  Herring 

reaching  posterior  margin  of  pupil;  lower  jaw  somewhat  projec- 
ting, the  upper  emarginate;  eye  large;  gillrakers  long,  but 
shorter  and  stouter  than  in  the  shad;  lower  lobe  of  caudal  the 
longer.  Colour,  bluish  above,  sides  silvery;  indistinct  dark  stripes 
along  the  rows  of  scales;  a  blackish  spot  behind  opercle;  perito- 
neum pale. 


Glut   Herring;   Summer   Herring 

Pomolobus   cestivalis  (Mitchill) 

This  species  occurs  on  our  Atlantic  coast  from  New  Eng- 
land to  the  Carolinas. 

It  is  less  abundant  northward  than  the  alewife  and  appears 
in  the  streams  somewhat  later  than  that  species.  Southward  it 
is  sometimes  exceedingly  abundant,  hence  the  name  "glut  her- 
ring." Other  names  by  which  it  is  known  are  blueback,  black- 
belly,  saw-belly,  and  kyach.  As  a  food-fish  it  is  less  valuable 
than  the  alewife. 

Head    5;    depth    ^\.      Very    similar    to    the    preceding,  from 

which    it   is    best   distinguished    by    the    black    peritoneum;  body 

more   elongate,    the    fins    lower,    the   eye   smaller,    and    the  back 
darker;  first  ray  of  dorsal  not  equal  to  base  of  fin. 


GENUS  ALOSA  CUVIER 
The  Shad 

Body  deep,  compressed,  deeper  than  in  related  American  genera; 
the  head  also  deep,  the  free  portion  of  the  cheek  deeper  than  long; 


Common  Shad;   American  Shad 

jaws  toothless;  upper  jaw  with  a  sharp,  deep  notch  at  tip,  the  premax- 
illaries  meeting  at  a  very  acute  angle;  otherwise  as  in  Pomolobus,  to 
which  this  genus  is  closely  allied.  There  are  2  or  3  American  species. 

a.    Gillrakers  very  numerous,  usually  more  than    100  on  first  arch; 

sapidissima,     105 
aa.  Gillrakers  less  numerous,  not  more  than  70  on  first  arch; 

alabamce,     108 


Common   Shad  ;  American   Shad 

Alosa  sapidissima  (Wilson) 

_% 

The  shad  is  found  on  our  Atlantic  coast  from  Florida  to  New- 
foundland, its  centre  of  abundance  being  from  North  Carolina  to  Long 
Island.  The  principal  shad  rivers  are  the  Potomac,  Susquehanna, 
and  Delaware.  In  the  early  history  of  the  country  the  abundance  of 
the  shad  excited  unbounded  astonishment.  Nearly  every  river  on  the 
Atlantic  Coast  was  invaded  in  the  spring  by  immense  schools,  which, 
in  their  upward  course,  furnished  an  ample  supply  of  choice  food. 
But  through  ever-increasing  fishing  operations  the  supply  gradually 
diminished  until  30  years  ago  when  the  Federal  and  various  State 
governments  began  hatching  the  shad  artificially.  So  successful  have 
these  efforts  been  that,  notwithstanding  greatly  increased  fishing 
operations  and  the  curtailment  of  the  spawning-grounds,  the  supply 
in  recent  years  has  not  only  been  maintained  but  largely  augmented 
in  many  streams. 

One  of  the  satisfactory  results  of  the  artificial  propagation  of  useful 
food-fishes — satisfactory  because  they  are  absolutely  proved  and  can- 
not be  questioned — has  been  the  introduction  of  the  shad  into  the 
waters  of  our  Pacific  Coast  in  which  no  shad  were  previously  found. 


Common  Shad ;   American  Shad 

At  various  times  between  1871  and  1880,  619,000  shad  fry  were 
planted  in  the  Sacramento  River,  and  in  1885  and  1886  910,000  were 
placed  in  the  Columbia  River.  There  young  shad  found  the  environ- 
ment congenial,  suitable  spawning  grounds  were  found,  and  they  have 
thrived  so  well  that  they  have  spread  to  San  Diego  on  the  South  and 
to  Fort  Wrangel  on  the  North — a  distance  of  more  than  2,000  miles. 
The  shad  is  now  one  of  the  most  abundant  and  most  delicious  food- 
fishes  in  the  markets  of  San  Francisco  and  other  west  coast  cities. 

The  shad  is  an  anadromous  fish  which  passes  most  of  its  life  in 
the  sea,  performing  annual  migrations  from  the  ocean  to  the  rivers  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  reproduction.  Little  is  known  of  its  life  in  the 
ocean,  the  places  to  which  it  resorts  are  unknown  and  but  little  is 
known  regarding  its  food.  In  the  spring  it  ascends  to  suitable  spawn- 
ing grounds,  which  are  always  in  fresh  water,  occupying  several 
weeks  in  depositing  and  fertilizing  its  eggs  in  any  given  stream.  It 
appears  in  the  St.  Johns  River,  Florida,  as  early  as  November, 
but  not  in  great  abundance  until  February  and  March.  Beginning 
with  the  Savannah  and  Edisto  rivers  in  January,  the  run  in  the 
different  streams  to  the  northward  is  successively  later,  the  height 
of  the  run  in  the  Potomac  being  in  April,  in  the  Delaware  early 
in  May,  and  the  Miramichi  River,  in  New  Brunswick,  about  the 
last  of  May. 

The  main  body  ascends  when  the  water  temperature  is  56° 
to  66°,  the  number  diminishing  when  the  temperature  is  over  66°. 
They  come  in  successive  schools,  the  males  preceding  the  females. 
Of  61,000  shad  received  at  Washington  from  March  19  to  24,  1897, 
90%  were  males.  Toward  the  close  of  the  season  males  were 
extremely  scarce.  Formerly  the  shad  ascended  many  streams 
much  farther  than  they  are  now  able  to  go,  owing  to  the  erection 
of  many  impassable  dams,  beyond  which  the  fish  cannot  go. 

As  the  shad  enter  the  rivers  only  for  the  purpose  of  spawning, 
the  fisheries  are  necessarily  prosecuted  during  the  spawning  sea- 
son, and  often  upon  the  favourite  spawning-grounds.  So  great 
is  the  demand  for  this  delicious  food-fish,  and  so  assiduously  do 
the  fishermen  ply  their  vocation  with  many  kinds  of  gear 
during  the  period  when,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  the  fish 
should  be  protected,  that  the  shad-fisheries  would  long  since 
have  been  a  thing  of  the  past  had  it  not  been  for  artificial  prop- 
agation. During  the  spring  of  1900  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission 


1 06 


Common  Shad;   American  Shad 

planted  in  the  Atlantic  Coast  streams  a  total  of  241,056,000 
yourtg  shad. 

The  shad  is  very  prolific.  Single  fish  have  been  known  to  yield 
from  60,000  to  156,000  eggs,  though  the  usual  number  does  not 
exceed  30,000.  The  eggs  are  very  small,  semi-buoyant,  and 
usually  require  6  to  10  days  for  hatching,  the  time  varying  with 
the  temperature  of  the  water. 

Unlike  most  other  fishes  shad  roe  is  considered  a  great  del- 
icacy when  fried;  and  ever  since  the  days  of  George  Washington 
and  John  Marshall  "planked  shad"  has  been  regarded  as  the  acme 
of  success  in  the  preparation  of  a  delicious  fish  for  the  table. 
And  a  planked  shad  dinner  at  Marshall  Hall,  near  Mount  Vernon, 
is  quite  sure  to  constitute  a  feature  in  the  spring  programme  of 
many  Washington  societies. 

After  entering  the  rivers,  the  shad  take  but  little,  if  any,  food 
previous  to  spawning,  but  after  casting  its  eggs  it  will  strike  at  flies  or 
other  small  shining  objects,  and  it  has  been  known  to  take  the 
artifical  fly. 

Though  there  is  but  one  species  of  shad  on  our  Atlantic  Coast 
it  has  received  almost  as  many  vernacular  names  as  there  are  rivers 
which  it  enters,  as  Potomac  shad,  Susquehanna  shad,  Delaware  shad, 
North  River  shad,  and  Connecticut  shad;  and  the  people  on  each 
particular  stream  regard  their  shad  as  the  best;  and  all  are  right,  for 
the  sweetness  and  delicate  flavour  of  the  shad  depend  much  upon  its 
freshness.  The  shad  one  gets  from  a  nearby  river  are  apt  to  reach 
the  table  fresher  than  those  shipped  from  a  distance. 

The  shad  is  the  most  valuable  river  fish  of  the  Atlantic  Coast,  and, 
next  to  the  Chinook  salmon,  the  most  important  species  inhabiting  the 
fresh  waters  of  North  America.  Among  all  the  economic  fishes  of  the 
United  States  only  the  cod  and  the  Chinook  salmon  exceed  it  in  value. 
In  1896  the  shad  catch  of  the  Atlantic  seaboard  numbered  13,145,395 
fish,  weighing  50,847,967  pounds,  and  worth  to  the  fishermen 
$1,656,580. 

Head  4^;  depth  3;  D.  15;  A.  21;  scales  60;  ventral  scutes  21  +  16. 
Body  comparatively  deep;  mouth  rather  large,  the  jaws  about  equal, 
the  lower  fitting  into  a  notch  in  the  tip  of  the  upper;  gillrakers 
extremely  long  and  numerous,  usually  about  40+68,  the  total  varying 
from  93  to  1 19;  fins  small,  the  dorsal  much  nearer  the  snout  than  base 
of  caudal;  peritoneum  white.  Colour,  bluish  above,  sides  silvery 
white;  a  dark  spot  behind  opercle,  and  sometimes  several  along  the 

107 


Alabama    Shad 


line  dividing  the  colour  of  the  back  from  that  of  the  side,  these  evident 
when  the  scales  are  off;  axil  dusky.  The  shad  reaches  a  length  of  2 
to  2\  feet,  though  the  average  weight  is  less  than  4  pounds. 


Alabama   Shad 

Alosa  alabamcs  Jordan  &  Evermann 

In  the  Black  Warrior  River  of  Alabama,  about  Pensacola,  and 
doubtless  in  other  rivers  flowing  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  is  found  a 
species  of  shad  resembling  the  common  shad  but  differing  from  it  in 
not  having  nearly  so  many  gillrakers,  in  having  a  sharper,  more 
pointed  snout,  smaller  notch  in  the  upper  jaw,  more  projecting 
mandible,  and  more  slender  maxillary.  It  also  reaches  maturity  at  a 
considerably  smaller  size  than  the  common  shad,  the  various  examples 
seen  measuring  only  15  inches  each  in  total  length. 

Nothing  is  known  of  its  habits  except  that  it  appears  at  Tusca- 
loosa,  Alabama,  in  limited  numbers  early  in  April,  and  that  the  young 
have  been  seen  in  salt  water  at  Pensacola. 


GENUS   BREVOORTIA    GILL 
The    Menhadens 

Body  elliptical,  compressed,  deepest  anteriorly,  tapering  behind; 
head  very  large;  cheek  deeper  than  long;  mouth  large,  the  lower 
iaw  included;  no  teeth;  gillrakers  very  long  and  slender,  densely 
set,  appearing  to  fill  the  mouth  when  it  is  opened;  scales  deeper 

1 08 


Menhaden;    Mossbunker ;   Pogy 

than  long,  closely  imbricated,  their  exposed  edges  vertical  and 
fluted  or  pectinated;  dorsal  fin  low,  rather  posterior;  anal  fin 
small;  intestine  long;  peritoneum  dusky. 

This  genus  contains  only  a  few  species,  all  inhabiting  the  At- 
lantic, and  probably  spawning  in  brackish  water  in  the  spring. 
They  are  coarse,  herbivorous  fishes,  not  greatly  valued  as  food, 
but  having  several  other  very  important  uses. 


Menhaden  ;    Mossbunker  ;    Pogy 

Brevoortia  tyranmis  (Latrobe) 

The  menhaden  occurs  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Brazil,  and  is  by 
far  the  most  abundant  fish  on  the  eastern  coast  of  the  United 
States.  Several  hundred  thousand  have  been  taken  in  a  single 
draft  of  a  purse-seine.  A  firm  at  Milford,  Connecticut,  captured 
in  1870,  8,800,000;  in  1871,  8,000,000;  in  1872,  10,000,000,  and 
in  1873,  12,000,000.  In  1877,  3  sloops  from  New  London  seined 
13,000,000.  Though  this  was  an  unprofitable  year  the  Pemaquid 
Oil  Company  took  20,000,000,  and  the  town  of  Booth  Bay  alone 
took  50,000,000. 

Though  no  decrease  was  visible  up  to  1880,  since  that  time 
many  fishermen  believe  a  very  great  decrease  has  taken  place. 
This,  however,  has  not  been  proved,  and  many  intelligent  ob- 
servers deny  that  any  appreciable  decrease  has  really  occurred. 

The  food  of  the  menhaden  consists  almost  wholly  of  plank- 
ton— the  minute  unicellular  algae,  and  the  smaller  animals  which 
swarm  in  untold  myriads  at  the  surface  of  the  sea,  particularly 
along  the  coasts. 

109 


Menhaden ;    Mossbunker  ;    Pogy 

The  spawning  time  and  method  are  not  well  understood. 
According  to  Goode,  the  breeding  grounds  are  probably  on  the 
off-shore  banks,  and  the  eggs  are  presumably  cast  in  late  winter 
or  early  spring.  Recently  the  menhaden  has  been  found  breeding 
in  brackish  water  in  Buzzards  Bay. 

The  fecundity  of  the  menhaden  is  very  great,  exceeding  that 
of  the  shad  and  the  herring.  More  than  140,000  eggs  have  been 
taken  from  one  fish. 

The  enemies  of  the  menhaden  are  many,  and  include  every 
predaceous  animal  swimming  in  the  same  waters.  Whales  and 
dolphins  and  sharks  follow  the  schools  and  destroy  multitudes;  one 
hundred  have  been  taken  from  a  shark's  stomach.  All  the  large 
carnivorous  fishes  feed  upon  them,  the  tunny  being  the  most  des- 
tructive. Dr.  Goode,  in  1880,  estimated  the  total  number  of  men- 
haden destroyed  annually  on  our  coast  by  predaceous  animals  at  a 
million  million  of  millions,  compared  with  which  the  number  des- 
troyed by  man  is  scarcely  more  than  infinitesimal. 

As  Dr.  Goode  has  so  happily  said,  the  menhaden's  place  in 
nature  is  not  hard  to  surmise;  swarming  our  waters  in  countless 
myriads,  swimming  in  closely  packed  unwieldy,  masses,  helpless 
as  flocks  of  sheep,  near  to  the  surface  and  at  the  mercy  of  every 
enemy,  destitute  of  means  of  defence  and  offence,  their  mission  is 
unmistakably  to  be  eaten. 

Besides  entering  so  largely  into  the  food-supply  of  many  impor- 
tant food-fishes,  though  of  little  value  itself  as  food  for  man,  the 
menhaden  is  nevertheless  a  fish  of  very  great  commercial  impor- 
tance; As  a  bait  fish  in  the  mackerel,  cod  and  halibut  fisheries  it 
is  unexcelled.  In  1877  more  than  80,000  barrels,  or  26,000,000 
fish,  valued  at  $500,000,  were  used  for  this  purpose.  As  a 
source  of  oil  the  menhaden  is  of  greater  importance  than  any 
other  marine  animal.  After  the  oil  is  expressed  the  residue  sup- 
plies a  valuable  manure  when  made  into  manufactured  fertilizers. 

Though  little  valued  in  the  United  States  as  a  food-fish,  never- 
theless many  barrels  of  salted  menhaden  are  shipped  to  the  West 
Indies,  and  some  are  consumed  along  our  own  coast.  They  have 
been  packed  in  oil,  after  the  manner  of  sardines,  for  domestic  and 
foreign  consumption.  A  preparation  resembling  Liebig's  "  Extract 
of  Beef"  has  also  been  prepared  from  this  fish.  And  as  a  food 
for  domestic  animals  in  the  form  of  "fish  meal"  the  menhaden  is 


no 


Menhaden ;    Mossbunker  ;    Pogy 

of  value.     After  all,  however,  the  menhaden  must  ever  be  of  great- 
est value  as  food  for  other  fishes. 

The  menhaden  has  received  perhaps  more  common  names 
than  any  other  American  fish.  Dr.  Goode  enumerates  at  least  30 
which  have  been  given  to  it. 

Head  3^;  depth  3;  D.  19;  A,  20;  scales  60  to  80.  Head 
rather  short  and  heavy;  fins  comparatively  short,  the  height  of  the 
dorsal  less  than  the  length  of  the  maxillary;  height  of  anal 
less  than  half  length  of  maxillary  ;  pectoral  not  reaching 
ventrals;  dorsal  inserted  slightly  behind  ventrals,  or  about  midway 
between  tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal;  scales  moderate,  strongly 
serrated,  irregularly  arranged,  those  before  dorsal  strongly  pectinate; 
opercle  strongly  striated;  gillrakers  much  longer  than  eye.  Colour, 
bluish  above,  the  sides  silvery,  with  a  strong  brassy  lustre;  fins 
usually  yellowish;  a  conspicuous  dark  scapular  blotch,  behind 
which  are  often  smaller  spots.  Length  12  to  18  inches. 


THE   ANCHOVIES 

Family  XIV,     Engraulida 

BODY  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with  thin, 
cycloid  scales;  head  compressed;  mouth  very  large,  more  or  less 
oblique,  usually  overlapped  by  the  compressed,  pointed,  pig-like 
snout;  gape  very  wide,  the  maxillary  long  and  slender,  reaching 
far  beyond  the  eye,  in  some  species  even  beyond  the  head;  pre- 
maxillaries  not  protractile,  very  small  and  firmly  joined  to  the 
maxillaries;  teeth  usually  small,  sometimes  obsolete,  usually  fine 
and  even,  in  a  single  row  in  each  jaw;  canines  sometimes  present; 
eye  large,  well  forward,  no  adipose  eyelid;  opercles  thin  and  mem- 
branaceous;  gillrakers  long  and  slender;  gill-membranes  separate 
or  joined,  free  from  the  isthmus;  pseudobranchiae  present;  no 
lateral  line;  belly  rounded  or  weakly  serrate. 

Small,  carnivorous  shore  fishes,  usually  swimming  in  large 
schools  on  sandy  shores;  abundant  in  all  warm  seas,  occasionally 
entering  rivers. 

The  family  contains  about  9  genera  and  80  species,  and  is 
closely  related  to  the  Clupeidce. 

a.  Teeth  in  jaws  all  small,  if  present;  no  canines. 

b.  Insertion  of  dorsal  before  that  of  anal. 

c.  Gill-membranes  nearly  or  quite  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus. 

d.  Vertebrae    about    41    in    number;     bones    firm;     species    chiefly 

tropical ; Anchovia,  1 1 2 

dd.  Vertebrae  about  45;  bones   rather  feeble;    species   of  temperate 
regions ; Engraulis,  \  1 5 

cc.  Gill-membranes   broadly   united,    free   from   the    isthmus; 

Cetengraulis,  \  1 5 

bb.  Insertion    of  dorsal   behind   front   of  the   very   long   anal ;    gill- 
membranes  separate ; cPterengraulis,  1 1 5 

aa.  Teeth   in    jaws   unequal,   some   of  them    enlarged    and    canine- 
like  ; Lycengraulis,  1 1 5 


GENUS  ANCHOVIA  JORDAN  &  El/ERMANN 
The  Silvery  Anchovies 

Body    oblong,    compressed,    covered    with    rather    large,    thin, 
deciduous  scales;  belly  rounded  or  weakly  compressed;  snout  coni- 


Striped  Anchovy 

cal,  compressed,  projecting  beyond  the  very  large  mouth;  maxillary 
narrow,  little  movable,  usually  formed  of  3  pieces,  extending  back- 
ward far  beyond  the  eye,  but  not  beyond  gill-opening;  anal  fin 
moderate,  free  from  caudal;  dorsal  inserted  about  midway  of  body, 
behind  the  ventrals;  flesh  rather  pale  and  dry  and  more  or  less 
translucent. 

This  is  a  large  genus,  containing  50  or  more  species,  about  20 
being  found  in  our  waters. 

In  the  following  key  and  descriptions  are  included  only  those 
species  which  have  some  food  value.  None  of  them  possesses  any 
interest  to  the  angler. 

a.  Anal  rays   19  to  24. 

b.  Silvery  lateral  band  very  sharply   defined,  as   broad    as   eye,   not 

much  narrowed  anteriorly;  A.  20;  gillrakers  only  f  long  as 
eye ; brownii,  \  1 3 

bb.  Silvery  lateral  band  throughout  narrower  than  the  eye;  A.  23; 
gillrakers  nearly  as  long  as  eye; delicatissima,  1 13 

aa.  Anal  rays  25  or  26 ; " mitchilli,   1 14 

Striped   Anchovy 

AncJiovia  brownii  (Gmelin) 

This  little  fish  reaches  a  length  of  4  to  6  inches  and  is  found 
from  Cape  Cod  to  Brazil.  It  is  very  abundant  southward  in  the 
West  Indies  and  on  both  coasts  of  Florida.  It  is  the  most  abundant 
American  species. 

Head  3!;  depth  4f;  eye  3|;  snout  5;  D.  15;  A.  20;  scales  40. 
Body  rather  elongate,  compressed,  not  elevated;  belly  compressed, 
serrulate;  head  rather  short,  the  snout  projecting  much  beyond  tip 
of  lower  jaw;  teeth  rather  strong;  maxillary  extending  beyond  base 
of  mandible,  but  not  quite  reaching  gill-opening;  eye  large;  cheek 
triangular;  gillrakers  long;  anal  fin  with  a  sheath  of  scales;  dorsal 
inserted  nearer  caudal  than  snout.  Colour,  olivaceous,  translucent, 
sides  silvery;  the  silvery  lateral  band  very  distinct  and  about  as  wide 
as  eye. 

Western    Anchovy 

Anchovia  delicatissima  (Girard) 

This  anchovy  reaches  a  length  of  3  inches  and  occurs  on  the 
coast  of  southern  California  and  southward. 

"3 


Little  Anchovy 

It  is  locally  very  abundant  and  is,  as  its  name  indicates,  a  most 
delicate  little  food-fish. 

Head  4^;  depth  4f;  D.  13;  A.  23;  scales  40.  Head  short, 
nearly  as  deep  as  long;  eye  large,  much  longer  than  the  blunt  snout 
which  projects  considerably  beyond  the  lower  jaw;  gillrakers 
numerous,  slender,  nearly  as  long  as  eye;  maxillary  reaching  past 
root  of  mandible;  lower  lobe  of  caudal  the  longer;  dorsal  inserted 
midway  between  base  of  caudal  and  front  of  eye.  Colour,  very 
pale  olivaceous,  translucent,  with  some  dark  points,  and  a  silvery 
lateral  band  not  as  wide  as  eye. 

Little  Anchovy 

Anchovia   mitchilli  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

This  small  fish  reaches  a  length  of  but  2  to  2\  inches  and  is 
the  smallest  species  of  anchovy  on  our  coast.  It  is  found  from 
Cape  Cod  to  Texas  and  is  generally  abundant  on  sandy  shores 
and  in  river-mouths.  It  is  one  of  the  species  entering  into  the 
composition  of  "whitebait." 

Head  3$;  depth  4;.  eye  3;  D.  14;  A.  25  or  26;  scales  37. 
Body  rather  short  and  deep,  strongly  compressed,  the  belly  com- 
pressed and  slightly  serrated;  head  short,  compressed  and  bluntish; 
snout  very  short,  not  longer  than  pupil;  eye  very  large;  maxil- 
lary about  reaching  edge  of  opercle;  teeth  in  each  jaw;  cheek 
broadly  triangular,  almost  equilateral,  smaller  than  eye;  opercle  short, 
oblique;  gillrakers  rather  long;  dorsal  inserted  midway  between 
caudal  and  middle  of  eye;  anal  very  long;  scales  thin,  caducous. 
Colour,  translucent  whitish,  the  sides  silvery  with  an  ill-defined 
narrow  silvery  band  scarcely  wider  than  pupil;  fins  rather  yellowish  ; 
many  dark  dots  on  fins  and  body. 

Sardina  Bocona 

Anchovia  mactolepidota  (Kner  &  Steindachner) 

This  anchovy  occurs  from  the  Gulf  of  California  to  Panama  and 
is  very  abundant  about  Guaymas  where  it  is  often  cast  up  dead 
on  the  beach  in  great  numbers.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  anchovies, 
reaching  a  length  of  7  or  8  inches. 

Head3i;  depth  3;  D.  15;  A,  281030;  scales  35, -9.  Body  very 
short  and  deep,  both  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  strongly  arched;  head 
£  longer  than  deep;  snout  very  short,  not  longer  than  pupil  and  not 

114 


California  Anchovy 

projecting  far  beyond  lower  jaw;  maxillary  narrow,  rounded  behind, 
extending  to  angle  of  preopercle;  gillrakers  fine,  long,  and  very 
numerous;  abdomen  slightly  compressed;  scales  adherent;  origin  of 
dorsal  slightly  behind  middle  of  body;  ventrals  very  small;  pectorals 
rather  long.  Colour,  silvery,  side  with  an  indistinct  bluish  band. 


GENUS  ENGRAULIS  CUVIER 

This  genus  contains  those  spindle-shaped  anchovies  of  the  north 
and  south  Temperate  zones  which  have  the  body  little  compressed, 
the  sides  rounded,  the  vertebrae  in  increased  number  (44  to  47),  the 
flesh  rather  dark,  and  tender  and  somewhat  oily  but  not  translucent, 
the  bones  soft,  the  appearance  and  the  flesh  resembling  that  of  the 
sardines. 

Only  one  species  within  our  limits. 

California  Anchovy 

Engraulis  mordax  Girard 

This  species  reaches  a  length  of  7  inches  and  occurs  on  our 
Pacific  Coast  from  south  Alaska  to  Lower  California.  It  is  extremely 
abundant,  swimming  in  large  schools.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the 
anchovies  and  the  most  valuable  food-species.  The  flesh  is  rich  and 
oily,  comparatively  dark,  and  easily  torn,  as  in  the  sardines. 

Head  3^;  depth  5^;  D.  14;  A.  22;  Br.  14;  scales  40;  vertebrae  45. 
Body  spindle-shaped,  form  resembling  that  of  a  sardine,  little  com- 
pressed, rounded  above,  slightly  carinated  below,  but  not  serrated; 
head  long,  anteriorly  compressed,  the  snout  pointed  and  protruding; 
head  nearly  twice  as  long  as  deep;  eye  large,  very  near  the  tip  of  the 
snout;  maxillary  extending  beyond  root  of  mandible;  small  teeth  on 
jaws;  opercle  deeper  than  long,  placed  obliquely;  gillrakers  much 
longer  than  eye.  Colour,  bluish  above,  silvery  on  side  and  below, 
not  translucent;  no  silvery  lateral  band. 

The  2  species  of  Cetengraulis  (C.  mysticetus  and  C.  edentulus) 
and  the  one  each  of  Pterengraulis  (P.  atherinoides)  and  Lycengraulh 
(L.  grossidens)  are  small  tropical  fishes  of  little  value. 


THE  WHITEFISH,  SALMON  AND  TROUT 

Family   X  V.     Salmonida 

THE  characters  of  the  Salmonidce  are  well  known  and  need 
not  be  repeated  here.  As  now  restricted  this  is  no  longer  one 
of  the  large  families  of  fishes,  albeit  it  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant, and  for  beauty,  activity,  gaminess,  quality  for  food,  and 
size  of  individuals,  different  members  of  the  family  stand  easily 
with  the  first  among  fishes.  There  are  about  10  genera  and  nearly 
100  species. 

The  Salmonidce  are  confined  to  the  northern  hemisphere,  and 
north  of  the  4Oth  parallel  they  are  nearly  everywhere  abundant 
wherever  suitable  waters  are  found.  Some  of  the  species,  espe- 
cially the  larger  ones,  are  marine  and  anadromous,  living  and  grow- 
ing in  the  sea,  and  entering  fresh  waters  only  for  spawning 
purposes;  still  others  live  in  running  brooks,  entering  lakes  or  the 
sea  as  occasion  serves,  but  not  habitually  doing  so;  others  again 
are  lake  fishes,  approaching  the  shore,  or  entering  brooks  in  the 
spawning  season,  at  other  times  retiring  to  waters  of  considerable 
depths.  Some  of  them  are  active,  voracious,  and  gamy,  while 
others  are  comparatively  defenceless  and  will  not  take  the  hook. 

The  large  size  of  the  eggs,  their  lack  of  adhesiveness,  and  the 
ease  with  which  they  may  be  impregnated,  render  the  members  of 
this  family  especially  adapted  to  fish-cultural  operations. 

The  Salmonidce  are  of  comparatively  recent  evolution,  none  of 
them  occurring  as  fossils  unless  it  be  in  recent  deposits.  The  in- 
stability of  the  specific  forms  and  the  absence  of  well-defined  spe- 
cific characters  may  in  part  be  attributed  to  their  recent  origin, 
as  Dr.  Giinther  has  suggested. 

The  family  contains  2  well-marked  subfamilies,  the  Coregonince 
(the  whitefishes  and  lake  herrings)  and  the  Salmonince  (the  salmons, 
charrs  and  trouts). 

Coregonince  : 

a.  Mouth  not  deeply  cleft,  the  mandible  articulating  with  the  quadrate 
bone  under  or  before  the  eye;  dentition  more  or  less  feeble 
or  incomplete;  scales  moderate  or  large.  Species  imperfectly 
anadromous,  or  confined  to  lakes  or  rivers. 

116 


The  Whitefishes 

/-.  Jaws  toothless  or  nearly  so;  scales  large;  maxillary  short  and 
broad,  with  a  broad  supplemental  bone. 

c.  Premaxillaries   broad,    with   the   cutting   edge    nearly   vertical   or 

directed  backward,  the  lower  jaw  short  and  more  or  less 
included ;  cleft  of  mouth  short ; Coregonus,  \  17 

cc.  Premaxillaries  with  the  cutting  edge  nearly  horizontal  and 
directed  forward;  lower  jaw  long,  projecting  beyond  the 
upper;  cleft  of  mouth  long; Argyrosomus,  130 

bb.  Jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  and  tongue  with  bands  of  teeth; 
maxillary  very  long;  lower  jaw  prominent;  anal  fin  elongate; 
scales  moderate ; Stenodus,  142 

Salmonince : 

aa.  Mouth  deeply  cleft,  the  long  lower  jaw  articulating  with  the 
quadrate  bone  behind  the  eye;  dentition  strong  and  com- 
plete; conical  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  tongue 
with  2  series  of  strong  teeth;  scales  small. 

d.  Anal   fin  elongate,    of   14   to   17   rays; Oncorhynchus,    143 

dd.    Anal   fin   short,    of  9    to    12   developed   rays. 

e.  Vomer  flat,    its   toothed  surface   plane;   teeth   on  shaft  of  vomer 

in  alternating  rows  or  in  one  zigzag  row,  and  placed 
directly  on  the  surface  of  the  bone,  not  on  a  free  crest. 
Species  black-spotted ; Salmo,  1 59 

ee.  Vomer  boat-shaped,  the  shaft  strongly  depressed  and  without 
teeth;  spotted  with  gray  or  red. 

/.  Vomer  with  a  raised  crest,  armed  with  strong  teeth,  extend- 
ing backward  from  the  head  of  the  bone,  free  from  its 
shaft;  hyoid  bone  with  a  broad  band  of  strong  teeth. 
Species  spotted  with  gray,  without  bright  colours; 

Cristi-vomer,  203 

ff.  Vomer  without  a  raised  crest,  only  the  head  being  toothed; 
hyoid  bone  with  very  weak  teeth  or  none.  Species  red- 
spotted,  the  lower  fins  with  bright  edgings;  Salvelinus,  206 


GENUS  COREGONUS  ART  EDI 
The  Whitefishes 

Body  compressed;  head  more  or  less  conic,  compressed,  the 
snout  more  or  less  projecting  beyond  the  lower  jaw;  mouth 
small,  the  maxillary  short,  not  extending  beyond  the  orbit,  with 
a  well-developed  supplemental  bone;  teeth  extremely  minute,  if 
present;  scales  moderate,  thin,  cycloid,  rather  firm;  caudal  fin 

117 


The  Whitefishes 

deeply  forked;  pseudobranchiae  large;  gillrakers  varying  from  short 
and  thickish  to  long  and  slender;  air-bladder  very  large;  eggs 
small. 

Species  about  18,  inhabiting  clear  lakes  of  northern  Asia, 
Europe  and  America,  in  Arctic  regions  descending  to  the  sea. 
Most  of  them  spawn  in  late  fall  or  winter  near  the  shore,  at 
other  seasons  often  frequenting  considerable  depths.  All  the  species 
are  highly  valued  for  food,  the  flesh  being  generally  pale  and  of 
excellent  flavour. 

The  colouration  is  very  uniform;  bluish-olivaceous  above, 
silvery  on  the  sides  and  below. 

a.  Gillrakers   short,    thickish,    about    12  to     16   in    number  on  the 

lower  limb  of  the  arch;  maxillary  short,  broad,  not  reach- 
ing the  eye,  the  supplemental  bone  mostly  narrow  and 
sharply  elliptical. 

b.  Mouth    comparatively  large,     the    maxillary    about    4    in   head; 

gillrakers  very  short  and  thick,  10  to  16;  body  oblong,  the 
back  not  elevated. 

c.  Scales  large,    60  to   63   in   lateral   line; coulterii,   119 

cc.    Scales   small,    72   to  90  in   lateral   line. 

d.  Supplemental  bone  of  maxillary  rather  narrow;  scales  83  1090. 

e.  Head    moderate,     blunt,     4^    to    5    in    body;    gillrakers    short, 

9+ 1 5 ;  lower  fins  pale  ;••••, •williamsoni,   1 19 

ee.    Head   very   short   and   blunt,    5f  in   body;   gillrakers  short  and 

slender,  about  7+14;  fins  all  blackish; kennicotti,   121 

dd.   Supplemental    bone    of    maxillary    very    broad,     semi-circular; 

scales   72   to   80; richardsoni,   121 

bb.    Mouth   small,  the   maxillary  5  to  5^  in  head;   gillrakers  shorter 

and  thicker,    about   7+10,   about   5   in   eye;    body   elongate, 

the  back  not  elevated,  not  much  compressed; 

quadr  Hater  alis,   122 
aa.   Gillrakers   numerous,  long   and  slender,   17   to  20  on  the  lower 

limb   of  the   arch;   maxillary  long,  less   than   4   in   head,  the 

supplemental  bone  ovate. 
/.   Tongue  toothless   or  nearly   so;   back   elevated;   head   very  low 

and  short,  especially  in  old  individuals. 
g.    Back  elevated,    not   greatly    compressed;    supplemental   bone   of 

maxillary  nearly  twice  as  long  as  deep; — clupeiformus,   123 
gg.    Back   elevated  and    much    compressed;    supplemental    bone   of 

maxillary  more  than  f  as  deep   as  long; nelsonii,   130 

ff.   Tongue   with    3   series    of  small    teeth;    body   elongate,    com- 
pressed;   '.labradoricus,  123 


118 


Rocky  Mountain  Whitefish 

Coulter's  Whitefish 

Coregonus  coulterii  Eigenmann 

This  species  is  a  small  fish  first  discovered  in  1892  in  the 
Kicking-Horse  River  at  Field,  British  Columbia,  one  of  the  head- 
waters of  the  Columbia  River.  Up  to  the  present  time  no  other 
specimens  have  been  obtained.  It  reaches  a  length  of  8  or  10 
inches  or  less,  and  would  doubtless  be  a  good  food-fish  but  for 
its  small  size.  Nothing  distinctive  is  known  as  to  its  habits  or 
game  qualities. 


Rocky  Mountain  Whitefish 

Coregonus  williamsoni  Girard 

Two  species  of  whitefish  are  known  from  western  North 
America,  the  species  just  described  and  the  present  one.  While 
Coulter's  whitefish  is  known  from  but  a  single  locality,  the 
Rocky  Mountain  whitefish  is  of  very  wide  distribution,  occurring 
in  all  suitable  waters  from  the  west  slope  of  the  Rockies  to  the 
Pacific  and  from  Utah  to  British  Columbia.  It  prefers  the  cold, 
clear  lakes,  such  as  those  of  Idaho,  Oregon  and  Washington,  but 
is  also  found  in  many  streams.  Those  living  in  the  lakes  remain 
in  comparatively  deep  water  except  during  the  spawning  season, 
which  occurs  in  late  fall  or  early  winter,  when  they  run  out 
into  the  tributary  streams,  in  some  places  in  incredible  numbers. 
This  is  particularly  true  at  Big  Payette  Lake  and  in  other  Idaho 
lakes. 

119 


Rocky  Mountain  Whitefiah 

This  species  attains  a  length  of  a  foot  or  more,  and  a  weight 
of  about  4  pounds,  though  the  average  is  considerably  less. 

During  the  spring  and  early  summer  they  take  the  fly  freely, 
as  well  as  the  baited  hook.  Though  not  as  game  as  the  trout 
of  the  same  region,  they  are  sufficiently  so  to  afford  much 
sport,  especially  when  caught  from  the  swiftly  flowing  streams. 
The  smallness  of  the  mouth  of  this  fish  requires  the  use  of  hooks 
of  very  small  size.  When  bait  is  used,  very  small  grasshoppers, 
salmon  eggs  and  small  bits  of  fresh  meat  of  almost  any  kind 
have  proved  effective. 

Among  the  places  where  excellent  sport  with  this  fish  may 
be  had,  may  be  mentioned  the  headwaters  of  Salmon  River  and 
Big  Payette  Lake  in  Idaho,  streams  near  Dillon,  Montana,  lakes 
Pend  d'Oreille  and  Coeur  d'Alene,  and  Provo  River,  Utah. 

As  a  pan-fish  it  holds  very  high  rank.  Examples  7  to  10 
inches  taken  in  20  to  60.  feet  of  water  are  usually  very  fat,  and 
most  delicious,  and  cannot  be  surpassed  in  sweetness  and  deli- 
cacy of  flavour.  Among  the  fishes  of  the  Northwest  there  is 
none  more  richly  deserving  of  preservation  than  this  mountain 
herring. 

Though  this  species  is  most  widely  known  as  the  mountain 
herring,  it  is  also  called  Williamson's  whitefish,  Rocky  Mountain 
herring,  Rocky  Mountain  whitefish,  and  in  some  places  grayling. 

Head  4|-  to  5;  depth  4  to  5;  eye  4^;  snout  j\  to  4;  D.  10  to 
12;  A.  10  to  12;  scales  9  or  10-78  to  88-7  or  8;  gillrakers  n  to 
15+7  to  10;  pectoral  i£;  ventral  if;  maxillary  4;  mandible  3; 
longest  dorsal  ray  i-|-.  Body  oblong,  but  little  compressed;  head 
short,  conic,  the  profile  abruptly  decurved;  snout  compressed  and 
somewhat  pointed  at  tip,  which  is  entirely  below  level  of  eye; 
preorbital  broad,  f  width  of  eye;  maxillary  short  and  very  broad, 
reaching  orbit,  thus  appearing  longer  than  in  other  species  owing 
to  the  shortness  of  the  snout;  supplemental  bone  narrow;  snout  in 
the  males  produced  and  pig-like  in  the  breeding  season;  adipose 
fin  very  large,  extending  behind  the  anal;  gillrakers  short  and  thick, 
shorter  than  the  pupil;  scales  of  back  and  side  in  breeding  season 
covered  with  prominent  tubercles.  Colour,  bluish  above,  silvery  on 
sides,  whiter  below;  breeding  males  with  the  under  parts  white; 
all  the  fins  tipped  with  black;  caudal  and  adipose  fins  steel- 
blue.  The  parrmarks  persist  on  the  young  for  a  year  or 
more. 

The  whitefish  found  in  the  headwaters  of  the  Missouri  Rivei 
has  been  described  as  a  subspecies  (cismontanus)  of  the  preceding, 


0 

o 
EC 


Broad  WhlteAsh;  Muksun 

from  which  it  was  supposed  to  differ  in  its  somewhat  more  slen- 
der body,  shorter  pectoral  and  ventral,  lower  dorsal,  and  smaller 
scales.  The  two  are  probably  not  distinct. 

The  waters  of  the  Missouri  Basin  from  which  whitefish  have 
been  reported  are  the  Yellowstone,  Madison,  Redrock,  Beaverhead, 
Gibbon  and  Gallatin  rivers,  Horsethief  Springs,  and  Big  Goose 
Creek,  a  tributary  of  Tongue  River,  Wyoming. 

Broad    Whitefish;    Muksun 

Coregonus   kennicotti   Milner 

This  species,  known  also  as  Kennicott's  whitefish,  and  the 
Delta  whitefish,  was  described  from  Fort  Good  Hope,  British 
America,  in  1883.  Since  then  it  has  been  observed  in  the  Meade, 
Kuahroo,  Kuwuk  and  Yukon  rivers  of  Alaska,  and  in  Great  Bear 
Lake.  These  localities  indicate  its  known  geographic  range. 

The  broad  whitefish  is  one  of  the  largest  species  of  the  genus. 
It  reaches  a  weight  of  30  pounds,  and  as  a  food-fish  is  held  in 
high  esteem.  It  is  said  by  Dr.  Dall  to  be  abundant  in  the  Yukon 
in  both  winter  and  summer,  and  that  it  spawns  in  September 
when  it  enters  the  small  tributary  streams. 

Nothing  is  known  as   to   its   game   qualities   or  other  habits. 

Head  =>f;  depth  4|;  eye  5^;  D.  1 1 ;  A.  14;  scales  10-87  to 
90-10.  Head  small  and  very  blunt;  mouth  inferior,  the  high  blunt 
snout  but  little  projecting;  premaxillaries  wide  and  vertically  placed; 
maxillary  reaching  slightly  beyond  vertical  at  front  of  eye;  preor- 
bital  narrow,  its  greatest  width  only  \  its  length,  or  \  diameter 
of  eye;  gillrakers  6  or  7  +  14,  short  and  slender;  tongue  with  a 
round  patch  of  weak,  bristle-like  teeth,  resembling  those  of  the 
inconnu;  adipose  fin  large,  a  wide  strip  at  base  covered  with 
small  scales.  Colour,  probably  very  dark  in  life;  fins  all  blackish  in 
spirits,  with  a  bluish  tinge, 

Richardson's   Whitefish 

Coregonus   richardsonii    Giinther 

Only  the  type  specimen  of  this  species  is  known.  It  was 
described  from  some  unknown  locality  in  British  America. 

It  is  very  similar  to  the  common  whitefish,  also  to  the  broad 
whitefish,  with  which  it  may  prove  identical.  Nothing  is  known 
regarding  its  habits  or  food-value. 

121 


Menominee  Whitefish 

Menominee    Whitefish 

Coregonus  quadrilateralis  Richardson 

This  species  is  known  as  menominee  whitefish  (Lakes  Supe- 
rior and  Michigan),  round  whitefish  (British  America),  frostfish 
(Lake  Champlain  and  Adirondack  lakes),  shadwaiter  (Lake 
Winnepesaukee),  pilotfish  (Lake  Champlain),  chivey  (Maine), 
Chateaugay  shad  (Chateaugay  Lake),  and  blackback  (Lake  Michi- 
gan). 

The  round  whitefish  is  found  in  the  lakes  of  New  England, 
westward  through  the  Adirondacks  and  the  Great  Lakes,  thence 
northward  into  Alaska,  from  which  it  may  be  seen  that  this 
species  is  the  most  widely  distributed  of  the  American  white- 
fishes. 

The  menominee  reaches  a  length  of  12  to  15  inches,  and  a 
weight  of  2  pounds;  the  average  weight  of  those  taken  to  market, 
however,  does  not  exceed  one  pound. 

This  species,  like  all  others  of  its  genus,  spawns  in  the  fall, 
but  nothing  distinctive  is  known  of  its  habits.  It  is  ordinarily 
found  in  rather  deep  water  of  the  lakes,  and  does  not  often 
enter  streams.  It  is  not  regarded  as  a  game-fish,  but  as  an 
article  of  food  it  ranks  with  the  other  smaller  whitefishes.  Con- 
siderable quantities  are  taken  each  year  in  Lake  Champlain  and 
the  small  Adirondack  lakes,  while  in  Lakes  Huron,  Michigan  and 
Superior  still  larger  quantities  are  caught,  gillnets  being  the  gear 
usually  employed  for  the  purpose. 

Head  5;  depth  4f;  eye  5$-;  D.  n;  A.  10;  scales  9-80  to  90-8; 
maxillary  5^;  mandible  3^;  gillrakers  about  7+10,  4  to  5  in  eye. 
Body  elongate,  not  elevated  nor  much  compressed,  the  back 
rather  broad,  the  form  more  nearly  round  than  in  any  other 
species;  mouth  very  small  and  narrow,  inferior,  the  broad  maxil- 
lary not  reaching  to  opposite  the  eye;  head  long,  the  snout  com- 
pressed and  bluntly  pointed,  its  tip  below  level  of  eye;  profile 
not  strongly  decurved;  preorbital  wider  than  pupil;  mandible 
originating  under  middle  of  eye;  adipose  fin  small;  gillrakers 
short  and  stoutish.  Colour,  dark  bluish  above,  silvery  below. 


Common  Whitefish 

Common    Whitefish 

Coregonus  clupeiformis  (Mitchill) 

This  important  and  delicious  food-fish  is  known  also  as  hump- 
back, bowback  and  highback  whitefish  (Lake  Superior),  and 
Otsego  Bass  (Lake  Otsego,  N.  Y. ). 

It  is  the  most  important  and  one  of  the  most  abundant  of 
all  the  whitefishes.  It  is  found  throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region 
from  Lake  Champlain  to  Lake  Superior,  and  possibly  to  Lake 
Winnipeg.  It  has  been  reported  commercially  from  Lake  of  the 
Woods,  Lake  Winnipeg  and  Northwest  Territory,  but  all  references 
to  its  occurrence  west  of  Lake  Superior  need  verification.  Ail 
specimens  of  so-called  whitefish  from  Lake  of  the  Woods  which 
have  been  examined  by  any  ichthyologist  belong  to  a  different 
species — the  Labrador  whitefish  (Coregonus  labradoricus),  and  this 
is  doubtless  the  species  which  the  Canadian  Fish  Commission  re- 
ports call  the  "  whitefish,"  when  referring  to  localities  west  of 
Lake  Superior. 

The  common  whitefish  lives  habitually  in  the  deeper  waters  of 
the  lakes,  coming  out  into  more  shallow  water  at  spawning  time, 
which,  in  the  Great  Lakes,  is  from  late  October  into  December. 
While  its  habits  are  perhaps  better  understood  than  those  of  any 
other  species  of  whitefish,  there  still  remain  many  important  facts 
in  its  life  history  which  are  obscure  or  little  understood.  Besides 
the  regular  migration  from  deep  water  to  the  spawning  grounds 
in  the  fall,  there  appear  to  be  other  rather  definite  movements, 
as,  for  example,  in  Lake  Erie,  where  the  species  is  most  abun- 
dant. During  the  greater  part  of  the  year  it  seems  to  be  mainly 
confined  to  the  deeper  waters  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  lake. 
From  there  2  regular  movements  occur,  one  in  the  spring,  the 
other  in  the  fall,  which  greatly  increase  the  area  of  its  distribu- 
tion during  a  limited  period.  There  is  practically  no  fishing  for  this 
species  in  January,  February  and  March,  during  which  time  the 
whereabouts  of  the  fish  is  not  known.  The  gillnetters  generally 
begin  to  set  for  whitefish  early  in  April,  and  continue  until  the 
end  of  December  following.  This  deep-water  fishing  is  confined 
to  the  eastern  part  of  the  lake. 

The  gillnet  grounds  extend  mainly  from  about  5  miles  off 
shore  to  the  middle  of  the  lake,  the  depth  ranging  from  about  12 

123 


The  Common  Whitefish 

to  30  fathoms,  and  the  bottom  consisting  of  clay  and  mud.  There 
is  greater  or  less  movement  of  the  fish  within  these  limits,  of 
which  the  fishermen  have  cognizance,  and  which  seems  to  be 
influenced  by  changes  in  the  season  and  weather.  In  the  early 
spring  the  best  fishing  is  said  generally  to  be  obtained  eastward 
of  Dunkirk,  in  relatively  shallow  water,  the  body  of  fish  working 
westward  and  into  deeper  water  as  the  season  advances,  and  again 
returning  to  the  deeper  water  as  the  winter  comes  on.  It  is 
probable,  however,  that  the  early  spring  distribution  in  abundance 
is  more  widespread  than  the  above  would  indicate,  judging  from 
the  extent  of  territory  which  the  fishermen  may  then  occupy. 
The  extent  of  the  gillnet  catch  varies  greatly  with  the  season, 
caused  partly  by  the  condition  of  the  water  and  partly  by  the  with- 
drawal of  a  portion  of  the  fish,  as  explained  further  on.  The  sea- 
son opens  with  a  large  catch,  which  continues  into  May,  but 
then  falls  away  into  June,  when  scarcely  any  fish  can  be  obtained. 
This  circumstance  is  attributed  by  the  fishermen  chiefly  to  the 
formation  of  a  slime  on  the  bottom,  which  also  covers  the  nets 
and  makes  it  difficult  to  handle  them.  These  conditions  may 
persist  for  a  week  or  two  in  July,  when  '  good  fishing  revives, 
especially  in  the  deeper  waters,  in  which  the  best  catches  of  the 
year  are  made,  during  August  and  September.  The  remainder  of 
the  season  affords  much  poorer  return  as  a  whole  than  the  sum- 
mer, due,  undoubtedly,  to  the  spawning  run,  which  takes  a  large 
proportion  of  the  fish  away  from  this  region. 

The  two  seasonal  movements  above  referred  to  are  both 
shoreward  and  toward  the  western  end  of  the  lake,  and  it  is 
during  their  continuance  that  the  poundnet  catch  is  made.  The 
spring  movement  occurs  mainly  during  the  latter  half  of  April  and 
in  May,  although  a  few  stragglers  may  be  found  in  June.  It  is 
felt  along  both  shores  as  far  as  the  Bass  Islands  and  Kingsville, 
Ontario,  but  on  the  south  side  of  the  lake  it  is  most  pronounced 
east  of  Ashtabula.  It  extends  but  a  short  distance  onto  the 
western  platform,  where  only  small  and  irregular  catches  are  now 
obtained  about  the  Bass  Islands  and  Kelleys  Island,  although  for- 
merly they  were  more  abundant  there. 

The  fall  movement  is  much  heavier  and  much  more  wide- 
spread than  the  spring,  and  is  actuated  by  the  breeding  instinct, 
which  leads  the  fish  to  seek  spawning  grounds,  to  a  large  extent, 
at  a  great  distance  from  their  normal  habitat.  It  begins  on  a 

124 


The  Common  Whitefish 

small  scale  in  September,  during  which  month  a  few  individuals 
are  sometimes  captured  in  the  poundnets  on  the  platform.  It 
does  not  become  pronounced,  however,  until  in  October  and,  in- 
cluding the  up  and  down  runs,  continues  through  November 
and  more  or  less  into  December,  although  very  few  fish  are 
taken  during  the  last  mentioned  month;  that  is  to  say  the 
poundnet  catch  seems  to  be  obtained  chiefly,  if  not  almost  en- 
tirely, from  the  up  run,  making  it  possible  that  the  bulk  of  the 
down  run  keeps  farther  offshore. 

The  fall  run  strikes  in  along  both  shores  the  same  as  the 
spring,  but  at  the  western  end  of  the  lake  the  fish  now  become 
widely  distributed  over  the  platform,  and  a  large  number  pass 
through  the  Detroit  River  into  Lake  St.  Clair.  There  is  consider- 
able difference  in  the  dates  of  the  appearance  of  the  fish  at 
different  places,  especially  on  the  platform,  but  this  diversity  is  of 
only  local  significance.  It  is  not  improbable  that  during  the 
western  movement  a  certain  proportion  of  the  fish  also  proceed 
through  the  deeper  waters  until  they  reach  the  platform,  but 
nothing  positive  has  been  learned  regarding  this  matter,  as  the 
schools  are  never  followed  by  the  gillnetters  as  in  the  case  of 
the  herring. 

After  the  whitefish  reach  their  spawning  grounds  on  the 
western  platform,  they  give  rise  to  an  extensive  local  gillnet 
fishery  of  very  limited  duration.  During  their  passage  up  the 
Detroit  River,  mainly  in  the  latter  part  of  October  and  the  early 
part  of  November,  they  are  caught  by  means  of  seines,  and  in 
Lake  St.  Clair  a  few  are  taken  in  the  pound  nets. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  during  the  spawning  period  a 
large  body  of  fish  still  remains  in  the  deeper  water,  where  the 
gillnetters  continue  to  take  them,  though  in  smaller  quantities 
than  in  the  summer  and  in  the  early  fall. 

The  entire  distribution  of  the  spawning  grounds  of  the  white- 
fish  in  Lake  Erie  is  not  known.  During  the  spawning  season 
a  part  of  the  fish  remain  in  their  normal  deep-water  habitat,  but 
it  is  not  probable  that  they  spawn  there.  The  regular  fall  move- 
ment carries  a  very  large  body  to  the  western  platform,  where 
many  well-defined  spawning  grounds  occur.  These  are  chiefly 
rocky  reefs  and  shoals,  characterized  in  part  by  the  water-worn 
surfaces  of  the  common  limestone  of  the  region,  the  so-called 
honeycombed  rock.  Hard  gravelly  and  sandy  bottoms  in  some 

"5 


The  Common  Whitefish 

places  are  also  said  to  serve  the  same  purpose,  but  this  fact  has 
not  been  entirely  substantiated.  The  distribution  of  the  grounds 
on  the  platform  is  from  the  neighborhood  of  Kelleys  Island  to 
near  the  Michigan  shore,  on  both  sides  of  the  boundary  line. 
Some  of  the  best  known  are  two  shoals  north  of  Kelleys  Island; 
the  reefs  and  rocky  shores  about  and  in  the  neighborhood  of 
North  Bass,  Midde  Bass,  Rattlesnake  and  Green  islands;  the  reefs 
about  the  Hen  and  Chickens,  Niagara  Reef,  and  occasional  patches 
off  the  mainland  shores.  The  depth  ranges  mostly  from  about 
4  to  20  feet,  but  is  sometimes  greater.  It  is  in  these  places  that  the 
gillnet  fishing  is  carried  on  during  the  spawning  time,  and  mainly 
here  and  in  the  Detroit  River  that  the  eggs  have  been  obtained 
for  the  artificial  propagation  of  the  species,  The  fish  taken  in 
the  Detroit  River  are  mostly  bound  for  Lake  St.  Glair,  although 
the  river  itself  is  said  to  contain  one  or  more  spawning  places. 

It  seems  scarcely  credible  that  the  great  stock  of  whitefish 
which  has  characterized  the  deeper  waters,  where  the  catch  has 
many  times  exceeded  that  of  all  the  remainder  of  the  lake  com- 
bined, can  have  been  maintained  solely  through  the  agency  of 
that  body  of  fish  which  reaches  the  western  platform,  and  it  is 
possible  that  extensive  spawning  areas  will  sometime  be  dis- 
covered farther  east.  One  small  ground  is  known  to  be  located 
between  Dunkirk  and  Westfield,  N.  Y.,  and  two  others  are  reported 
off  Port  Dover  and  Port  Burwell,  Ontario. 

The  spawning  time  varies  somewhat  in  different  years,  de- 
pendent on  the  conditions  of  the  weather  and  also  with  respect 
to  the  locality.  Our  information  on  this  subject  is  mainly  limited 
to  the  platform,  where  the  dates  have  been  accurately  determined 
in  connection  with  fishcultural  operations,  as  follows :  Ripe  eggs 
have  been  obtained,  but  only  rarely,  as  early  as  the  latter  part 
of  October,  the  first  being  taken  generally  in  the  early  part  of 
November.  Spawning  may  continue  into  the  first  week  of 
December,  but  the  last  eggs  are  seldom  secured  later  than  Decem- 
ber i,  generally  a  few  days  before  that  date.  The  bulk  of  the 
eggs  have  usually  been  obtained  between  the  loth  and  25th  of 
November,  but  sometimes  beginning  as  early  as  the  5th  or  6th 
and  continuing  as  late  as  the  28th,  which  dates  may  be  consid- 
ered to  mark  the  limitations  of  the  main  part  of  the  spawning 
season.  These  figures  are  based  on  the  averages  for  several 
years  and  for  the  different  grounds  where  eggs  are  procured  for 

126 


The  Common  Whitefish 

the  hatcheries.  In  any  one  place  the  bulk  of  the  spawning  may 
be,  and  generally  is,  completed  in  a  much  shorter  space  of  time, 
from  5  to  10  days.  They  begin  to  fish  for  the  hatcheries  on 
the  Detroit  River  in  the  latter  part  of  October,  but  the  fish  are 
not  then  ripe  and  are  penned  until  the  eggs  mature. 

The  general  run  of  the  whitefish  taken  in  Lake  Erie  ranges 
from  about  i^  to  5  or  6  pounds,  but  seldom  exceeds  4  or  5 
pounds.  This  applies  to  all  parts  of  the  lake,  but  the  average 
size  may  differ  more  or  less  in  different  places  or  in  the  catch 
by  different  kinds  of  apparatus.  The  species,  however,  attains  a 
weight  of  12  pounds  and  more,  and  some  have  been  reported 
weighing  as  high  as  20  pounds,  but  these  extreme  sizes  are  now 
practically  extinct.  Individuals  weighing  8  or  9  pounds  are  con- 
sidered very  large  for  Lake  Erie  at  the  present  time. 

It  has  been  impossible  to  ascertain  satisfactorily  the  average 
size  of  the  fish  in  the  catch  of  any  one  fishery.  In  several 
fares  landed  by  the  gillnet  tugs  at  Dunkirk  in  August,  1894, 
the  average  by  actual  weight  was  found  to  be  between  2^-  and 
3  pounds,  only  a  very  small  number  weighing  as  low  as  i£  and 
if  pounds,  while  the  largest  weighed  about  5  pounds.  Accord- 
ing to  the  statements  of  the  fishermen,  the  average  weight  on 
the  platform  ranges  all  the  way  from  2\  to  4  pounds,  these 
figures,  which  are  only  estimates,  being  based  in  part  upon  the 
poundnet  and  in  part  upon  the  gillnet  catch. 

The  dealers  would  prefer  to  handle  no  whitefish  weighing 
less  than  about  \\  pounds,  and  some  would  place  the  minimum 
size  suitable  for  market  as  high  as  2  pounds. 

From  the  observations  of  fish-culturists,  the  smallest  fish  from 
which  eggs  may  be  obtained  on  this  lake  weigh  from  i^-  to  2 
pounds.  In  that  event  the  genera!  catch  of  whitefish  on  Lake 
Erie  may  be  expected  not  to  include  immature  fish,  and  the 
minimum  size  desired  for  market  would  about  correspond  with 
their  earliest  mature  size,  \\  to  2  pounds.  It  is  questionable, 
however,  especially  in  the  case  of  a  rapidly  decreasing  product, 
whether  its  extensive  capture  in  the  first  year  of  maturity  should 
be  allowed. 

It  is  claimed  by  some  that  very  large  quantities  of  immature 
whitefish  are  caught  in  certain  places,  but  the  evidence  in  respect 
to  that  matter  lacks  confirmation.  According  to  the  testimony, 
comparatively  few  whitefish  weighing  under  \\  pounds  reach  the 

127 


The  Common  Whitefish 

platform,  the  number  being  somewhat  larger  in  the  spring  than 
in  the  fall,  but  at  no  time  great  enough  to  make  their  capture 
a  question  for  serious  consideration.  Nothing  is  definitely  known 
regarding  the  general  distribution  and  habits  of  the  young,  but 
they  are  supposed  to  remain  chiefly  in  the  deep  waters  of  the 
lake.  Many  are  reported  to  be  taken  in  the  herring  gillnets  in 
that  region,  and  also  in  the  poundnets  on  some  parts  of  both 
the  north  and  south  shore,  but  the  men  actually  concerned  in 
those  fisheries  deny  that  the  quantity  is  ever  excessive.  The 
subject  is  important  and  should  be  further  investigated. 

As'  far  as  known  the  habits  of  the  common  whitefish  in 
other  lakes  do  not  differ  from  those  of  Lake  Erie,  and  the  de- 
crease in  the  catch  in  other  waters  has  been  proportionally  great. 

The  spawning  habits  of  whitefish  confined  in  pens  have  been 
observed.  The  fish  rise  to  the  surface,  occasionally  in  pairs, 
sometimes,  but  rarely,  in  trios  of  i  female  and  2  males,  the 
female  emitting  a  quantity  of  spawn  at  each  rise.  The  males, 
always  the  smaller  fish,  persistently  follow  the  female  and  dis- 
charge milt  at  the  same  time  the  eggs  are  emitted. 

Whitefish  reach  maturity  in  the  }d  or  4th  year.  A  full- 
grown  individual  deposits  from  10,000  to  75,000  eggs,  depend- 
ing on  the  fish's  size.  A  rule  for  determining  the  approximate 
spawning  capacity  is  to  allow  about  10,000  eggs  for  each  pound 
of  the  fish's  weight.  The  eggs  are  %  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  36,000  make  a  fluid  quart. 

In  nature  the  eggs  of  the  whitefish  are  subjected  to  the  at- 
attacks  of  many  enemies  for  nearly  5  months.  The  mud-puppy, 
commonly  known  as  "lizard"  or  "water-dog"  by  the  people 
along  the  lakes,  is  especially  destructive.  During  the  month  of 
January,  1897,  many  of  these  animals  were  pumped  up  with  the 
water  supply  of  the  Put-in-Bay  station.  The  stomachs  of  a  con- 
siderable number  of  them  contained  whitefish  and  cisco  eggs, 
the  contents  of  i  stomach  being  288  whitefish  eggs  and  4  cisco 
eggs. 

Another  voracious  destroyer  of  whitefish  eggs  is  the  common 
yellow  perch  (Perca  fla-vescens).  The  deck  of  a  boat  has  been 
covered  with  the  eggs  of  the  whitefish  and  cisco  pressed  out  of 
the  stomachs  of  perch  taken  from  gillnets  the  last  of  November 
on  the  reefs,  where  they  had  gone  to  feed  on  the  eggs. 

The  various  smaller   Cyprinidce  and   some   other  fishes,  craw- 

128  ' 


The  Common  Whitefish 

fish  and  wild  fowl  make  the  eggs  of  fishes  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  their  diet,  those  which  require  the  longest  period  in 
hatching,  of  course,  suffering  most. 

The  artificial  propagation  of  whitefish  has  long  since  passed 
the  experimental  stage  and  has  attained  a  high  degree  of  perfec- 
tion. The  work  can  be  carried  on  with  great  facility,  and  its 
value  is  especially  apparent  when  it  is  considered  that  under 
natural  conditions  only  a  very  small  percentage  of  the  eggs  hatch, 
while  through  artificial  propagation  from  75  to  95  per  cent  are 
productive.  Practically  all  the  eggs  taken  for  hatching  purposes 
are  obtained  from  fish  caught  by  the  commercial  fishermen, 
which  would  otherwise  be  lost. 

In  the  fiscal  year  1897-98  the  United  States  Fish  Commis- 
sion hatched  and  planted  88,488,000  whitefish  fry,  and  in  1898- 
99  152,755,000  fry  were  hatched  and  liberated  in  suitable  waters. 

The  whitefishes  are  by  far  the  most  important  group  of 
fresh-water  fishes  of  North  America,  and  probably  of  the  world. 
The  common  whitefish  is  the  best  of  the  tribe,  but  some  of  the 
others  nearly  equal  it  in  merit,  and  all  are  more  or  less  esteemed 
as  food.  Among  the  fishes  of  the  Great  Lakes  the  common 
whitefish  ranks  next  in  value  to  the  lake  herring,  lake  trout, 
and  wall-eyed  pike.  In  1897  the  catch  in  the  United  States 
amounted  to  about  8,000,000  pounds,  having  a  value  of  nearly 
$300,000.  If  to  this  is  added  the  yield  of  lake  herring  and  other 
species  of  whitefish.  the  aggregate  is  over  57,000,000  pounds, 
having  a  value  of  nearly  $800,000.  The  market  value  of  the 
whitefishes  taken  in  1898  in  the  British  Provinces  was  reported 
as  $877,000,  a  sum  representing  about  18,400,000  pounds. 

The  common  whitefish  reaches  a  larger  size  than  any  other 
species  of  whitefish  in  the  United  States.  Examples  weighing 
over  20  pounds  have  been  taken,  but  the  average  weight  is  under 
4  pounds. 

Whitefish  fishing  is  done  chiefly  with  gillnets  set  at  or  near 
the  bottom  in  comparatively  deep  water,  although  considerable 
quantities  are  also  taken  in  pound-nets,  trap-nets,  and  seines.  A 
very  large  part  of  the  catch  reaches  the  market  in  a  fresh  con- 
dition, although  formerly  considerable  quantities  were  salted. 
The  leading  centres  of  the  trade  are  Chicago,  Detroit,  Sandusky, 
Cleveland,  Erie,  and  Buffalo,  whence  the  fish  are  shipped  frozen 
or  in  ice  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

129 


The   Humpback  Whitefish 

Head  5;  depth  3;  eye  4  to  5;  D.  n;  A.  n;  scales  8-74; 
vertebrae  59;  gillrakers  usually  10+17  to  19;  maxillary  4.  Body 
oblong,  compressed,  always  more  or  less  elevated,  becoming 
notably  so  in  the  adult;  head  small  and  short,  the  snout  blunt- 
ish  and  obliquely  truncated,  the  tip  on  the  level  or  lower  edge 
of  pupil;  width  of  preorbital  less  than  half  that  of  pupil;  maxil- 
lary reaching  past  front  of  orbit;  gillrakers  moderate,  about  2  in 
eye.  Colour,  olivaceous  above,  the  sides  white,  but  not  silvery; 
lower  fins  sometimes  dusky. 

Humpback  Whitefish 

Coregonus  nelsonii  Bean 

This  whitefish  occurs  in  Alaska  from  Bristol  Bay  northward, 
where  it  is  said  to  be  not  uncommon.  According  to  Dr.  Bean, 
Nelson's  whitefish  has  long  been  known  from  Alaska,  but  it  has 
been  confounded  with  a  Siberian  species,  C.  syrok,  from  which 
it  is  really  very  different.  The  Russian  name  is  Korabati,  while 
the  Tenneh  tribes  of  the  Yukon  call  it  Kolokuh.  Dr.  Dall  speaks 
of  it  as  a  common  species,  and  says  it  is  rather  bony,  inferior  in 
flavour,  and  that  it  is  generally  used  for  dog-food  except  in  times  of 
scarcity. 

Head  5;  depth  4;  maxillary  4;  D.  12;  A.  12;  scales  10-88-8; 
gillrakers  26  in  number,  their  length  2  in  eye.  Allied  to  C.  clu- 
peiformis,  but  distinguished  by  its  arched  and  compressed  back. 
Colour,  plain  whitish. 


GENUS  ARGYROSOMUS  AGASSIZ 
The  Lake  Herrings  or  Ciscoes 

This  genus  is  very  close  to  Coregonus,  from  which  it  differs 
in  the  larger  mouth,  and  more  produced  jaws,  the  premaxillaries 
being  placed  nearly  horizontally,  and  the  lower  jaw  projecting 
decidedly  beyond  them.  The  gillrakers  are  very  long  and  slender, 
with  about  30  on  the  lower  limb  of  the  first  arch;  vertebrae  55. 
These  characters  are  associated  with  greater  voracity,  and,  in  general, 
greater  activity  of  the  species. 

The  species  of  Argyrosomus  are  numerous  in  northern  parts  of 

130 


Smelt  of  the  New  York  Lakes 

Asia,  Europe,  and  America,  and  all  are  valued  as  food,  though  not 
held  in  as  high  esteem  as  the  species  of  true  whitefishes. 

a.  Body  long,  herring-shaped;    scales  small,  uniform,  the  free  edges 

convex. 

b.  Lower  fins  pale  or  merely  tipped  with  dusky;  scales  punctate  with 

dark  points. 

c.  Eye  large,  not  much,  if  any,  shorter  than  the  snout  in  adult,   its 

length  3\  to  4^  in  head. 

d.  Head  long,  4  in  body;    body  slender,  its  depth  5  to  6  in  length; 

distance  from  occiput  to  snout   2\    in  distance  from  occiput  to 
dorsal;  teeth  on  tongue;  maxillary  3  in  head;. osmertformis,   131 
dd.    Head  long,  4^  in  length ;  distance  from  occiput  to  snout  nearly 
half  its  distance  from  front  of  dorsal  fin. 

e.  Maxillary  j\  to  3^  in  head;   gillrakers  long  and  numerous,  about 

16+30; artedi,   \ 32 

ee.    Maxillary  longer,  2\  to  3  in  head;  gillrakers  fewer,  about  14+25; 

hoyt,   136 
ddd.    Head  shorter,  about  5  in  length ;  distance  from  occiput  to  snout 

about  |  distance  to  front  of  dorsal  fin; pusillus,    137 

cc.    Eye  small,  shorter  than  snout,  about  5  in  head. 
/.    Head  short,  about  5  in  length. 

g.  Body  rather  slender,  the  depth  equal  to  length  of  head;  distance 
from  occiput  to  snout  2\  to  2f  in  its  distance  from  dorsal;  base 

of  dorsal  short ; lucidus,   1 37 

gg.  Body  deep,  the  depth  in  adult  greater  than  length  of  head;  dis- 
tance from  occiput  to  snout  2^-  to  2\  in  its  distance  from  dorsal; 

base  of  dorsal  longer; laurettce,    137 

//.    Head  long,  4  to  4^  in  length ; '. prognathus,   138 

bb.    Lower  fins   all   blue-black; nigripinnis,   139 

aa.  Body  short,  deep,  compressed,  the  curve  of  back  similar  to  that 
of  belly;  scales  large,  larger  forward  and  closely  imbricated,  the 
free  margins  scarcely  convex tullibee,  140 

Smelt  of  the  New  York  Lakes 

Argyrosomus  osmeriformis  (H.  M.  Smith) 

This  small  fish  has  been  recorded  only  from  Seneca  and  Skanea- 
teles  lakes,  New  York,  where  it  is  known  as  smelt.  It  doubtless 
inhabits  others  of  the  deep-water  lakes  of  northern  New  York. 
Nothing  is  known  of  its  habits;  and  its  small  size,  10  inches  or  less, 
renders  it  of  little  value  as  food. 

Head  4;  depth  5  to  6;  eye4;  0.9;  A.  13;  scales  9-83-10;  maxil- 
lary 3;  mandible  2;  gillrakers  20+35,  very  long  and  slender,  as  long 
as  eye.  Body  very  slender,  back  not  elevated ;  head  rather  large,  its 


Lake  Herring 

width  equal  to  half  its  length;  eye  large,  equal  to  snout;  dorsal  fin 
high,  its  height  equal  to  f  depth  of  body,  and  i^  times  length  of  base 
of  fin,  its  origin  nearer  base  of  caudal  than  snout,  its  free  margin 
nearly  straight  and  vertical;  longest  anal  ray  f  length  of  base  of  fin; 
ventral  long,  equal  to  height  of  dorsal,  its  length  equal  to  f  of  distance 
from  ventral  origin  to  vent;  ventral  origin  midway  between  base  of 
caudal  and  pupil;  adipose  fin  long  and  slender,  of  uniform  width 
which  is  i  its  length;  mouth  large,  lower  jaw  projecting;  teeth  on 
tongue.  Colour,  grayish  silvery  above,  sides  bright  silvery,  white 
below;  tips  of  dorsal  and  caudal  dark. 


Lake    Herring 

Argyrosotmis  artedi  (Le  Sueur) 

This  important  food-fish,  named  by  Le  Sueur  in  honour  of 
Petrus  Artedi,  the  "Father  of  Ichthyology,"  the  friend  and  associ- 
ate of  Linnaeus,  and  perhaps  the  ablest  systematic  zoologist  of  the 
i8th  century,  is  found  throughout  the  region  of  the  Great  Lakes, 
from  Lake  Memphremagog  on  the  east  to  Lake  Superior  on  the 
west,  and  northward  into  the  Hudson  Bay  drainage,  and  to 
Labrador. 

Throughout  its  range  it  is  the  most  abundant  member  of 
the  family.  It  is  taken  in  enormous  quantities  each  year,  and  in 
most  of  the  lakes  is  the  object  of  a  special  fishery.  The  quan- 
tity taken  each  year  in  the  Great  Lakes  is  greater  than  that  of 
all  other  whitefishes  combined,  but  in  value  of  catch  and  in  food 
value  it  does  not  equal  the  common  whitefish.  The  species  is 
most  abundant  in  Lake  Erie,  while  Lake  Michigan  ranks  second 
in  importance. 

The  lake  herring  has  a  large  number  of  vernacular  names. 
The  most  widely  used  are  lake  herring,  or  merely  herring,  and 
cisco,  either  of  which  is,  in  most  places,  distinctive.  In  Lake 
Ontario  it  is  usually  called  cisco.  The  etymology  of  the  word 
is  in  dispute.  One  assigned  derivation  is  from  a  fish  peddler 
named  Cisco,  who,  about  1830,  took  the  fish  through  the 
northern  part  of  New  York  State  and  sold  it  to  the  farmers  as 
"Cisco's  herring."  "Sisco"  is  merely  a  recent  variation  in  the 
orthography.  Other  names  for  this  fish  in  Lake  Ontario  are 
herring,  blueback,  greenback,  blueback  or  greenback  herring,  and 
grayback  or  grayback  herring.  These  different  names  are  simply 

132 


Lake  Herring 

the  fisherman's  way  of  distinguishing  individual  variations  in  colour, 
sex,  age  or  time  of  run.  Usually  the  fishermen  claim  that  the 
graybacks  run  in  the  spring,  and  that  the  spring  or  early  sum- 
mer is  their  spawning  time.  The  greenbacks  and  bluebacks  run 
in  the  late  fall,  and  are  regarded,  very  naturally,  as  a  better  fish 
than  the  graybacks.  In  Lakes  Erie,  St.  Clair,  Huron  and  Superior, 
as  well  as  throughout  Canada,  this  species  is  known  as  herring 
or  lake  herring.  In  Lake  Michigan  the'  names  Michigan  blueback 
and  shore  herring  are  sometimes  heard.  Unfortunately  the  name 
herring  is  also  applied  sometimes  to  other  species. 

The  lake  herring  has  the  same  general  habits  as  the  white- 
fish,  but  seems  to  be  more  widely  disseminated  during  most 
parts  of  the  year.  During  the  summer  and  winter  it  is  mainly 
restricted  in  Lake  Erie  to  the  deeper  waters  in  the  middle  of 
the  lake,  in  its  eastern  half,  and  along  the  northern  shore  east 
of  Rondeau.  From  the  deep-water  region  there  are  two  great 
migrations  into  the  shoaler  and  more  changeable  portions  of 
the  lake.  In  the  spring,  when  the  shoal  waters  become  warmer, 
the  fish  emerge  from  their  winter  habitat  and  move  shoreward 
and  upon  the  edge  of  the  platform,  evidently  in  search  of  food. 
The  volume  of  this  migration  is  less  than  that  of  the  fall  run, 
and  is  more  fluctuating  and  irregular.  Their  presence  is  generally 
first  noticed  in  early  April,  and  occasionally  large  lifts  are  made 
in  the  latter  part  of  that  month,  though  the  best  fishery  is  in 
May.  Some  are  caught  in  June,  but  by  the  first  of  that  month 
the  bulk  has  left  the  United  States  coast  for  deeper  water,  although 
on  the  Canadian  shore  east  of  Pointe  Pelee  they  remain  through- 
out the  summer.  During  the  summer  months  the  gillnet  tugs 
from  Cleveland  and  eastern  ports  find  them  in  deep  water  well 
out  in  the  lake,  the  best  season  off  Erie,  the  principal  fishing 
centre,  being  from  July  to  September.  The  fall  migration  corres- 
ponds in  a  general  way  with  that  of  the  spring,  though  the 
incentive  is  different.  Then  large  bodies  of  herring  seek  spawning 
beds  on  the  platform,  over  which  they  become  widely  distribu- 
ted. The  distribution  of  their  spawning  grounds  on  the  platform 
is  less  restricted  than  those  of  the  whitefish,  and  the  herring  are 
not  confined  to  the  reefs  and  rocky  bottoms  when  discharging 
their  eggs.  There  are  doubtless  important  spawning  grounds  east 
of  the  platform,  though  their  exact  location  has  not  been 
determined. 

133 


The   Cisco  of  Lake  Tippecanoe 

The  spawning  of  the  lake  herring  takes  place  in  the  fall, 
chiefly  in  November. 

The  average  weight  probably  does  not  exceed  a  pound,  and 
the  maximum  weight  2  pounds.  It  is  usually  caught  in  gillnets 
and  pound-nets. 

Head  4  to  5;  deptfi  4  to  4|;  eye  4  to  5;  snout  4  to  5;  D. 
9  to  1 1 ;  A.  10  to  13;  scales  8  to  10-62  to  87-7  or  8;  maxillary  3 
to  3!;  mandible  2  to  2\\  gillrakers  45  to  58;  vertebrae  57.  Body 
long,  slender  and  somewhat  compressed;  dorsal  and  ventral  out- 
lines but  little  arched;  head  pointed;  mouth  large,  jaws  subequal, 
or  the  lower  somewhat  projecting;  maxillary  long,  usually  reach- 
ing to  vertical  of  pupil,  its  length  2\  times  its  width;  supplemental 
bone  broad,  about  half  length  of  maxillary;  mandible  long,  but 
not  usually  reaching  vertical  of  posterior  edge  of  orbit;  middle  of 
upper  jaw  on  level  with  lower  edge  of  orbit;  caudal  peduncle 
slender  but  not  much  compressed,  its  least  depth  equal  to  distance 
from  tip  of  snout  to  middle  of  eye;  dorsal  fin  small,  its  base 
about  2  in  head,  its  longest  ray  if  in  head;  pectoral  if  in  head. 
Colour  in  life,  back  dull  bluish-green,  this  colour  extending  down 
on  sides  nearly  to  lateral  line;  lower  part  of  sides  silvery;  under 
parts  white  or  silvery;  dorsal  fin  usually  blackish  or  bluish-black 
on  distal  third,  sometimes  plain,  the  membrane  often  punctate 
with  dark;  caudal  bluish-black  at  tip;  anal  and  ventrals  pure  white; 
pectorals  white,  edged  with  dark  above.  Sometimes  the  anal  has  a 
few  black  specks  at  base  and  on  anterior  part,  and  the  snout 
is  often  more  or  less  dark.  The  amount  of  individual  variation 
in  this  species  is  very  great. 

The  Cisco  of  Lake  Tippecanoe 

Argyrosomus  sisco  Jordan, 

In  certain  small  deep-water  lakes  in  northern  Indiana  and 
Wisconsin  is  a  small  lake  herring  described  originally  from  Lake 
Tippecanoe,  Indiana,  from  which  fact  it  has  received  its  verna- 
cular name.  It  has  been  reported  also  from  Crooked,  Shriner 
and  Cedar  lakes  in  northeastern  Indiana,  and  from  Geneva,  La 
Belle,  and  Oconomowoc  lakes  in  Wisconsin. 

To  the  angler  the  cisco  of  Lake  Tippecanoe  is  by  far  the 
most  interesting  of  all  the  American  whitefishes,  although,  like  the 
mountain  herring,  the  fact  that  it  will  rise  to  the  fly  or  that  it 
can  be  taken  on  the  hook  at  all,  is  not  generally  known.  But  its 

134 


The  Alaska  Herring 

praises  have  been  sung  by  William  C.  Harris,  the  veteran  editor  of 
The  American  Angler,  and   that  is  praise  from  Sir  Hubert  himself. 

In  Geneva  Lake,  Wisconsin,  this  fish  is  an  abundant  species, 
and  is  regarded  by  local  anglers  and  others  who  have  had  ex- 
perience with  it  as  one  of  the  most  attractive  and  interesting  fishes 
to  be  taken  with  rod  and  line;  and  the  fact  that  it  can  be  taken 
only  for  a  few  days  each  year  adds  zest  to  sport  already  fascinat- 
ing. Only  during  the  last  days  of  May  or  the  early  ones  of 
June,  when  the  Mayfly  is  on  the  wing,  is  the  cisco  seen. 
Then  the  anglers  go  in  boats  out  on  the  lake  where  the  water 
is  50  to  loo  feet  deep  and  where  experience  has  shown  the 
cisco  may  be  found.  Until  casting  begins  not  a  fish  can  be  seen, 
nor  the  slightest  ripple  upon  the  water;  but  no  sooner  have  a  few 
impaled  ephemeras  dropped  upon  the  surface  than  the  ciscoes  begin 
to  appear.  They  can  be  seen  coming  up  from  the  depths,  "their 
pearly  sides  burnished  by  the  gleam  and  glint  of  the  afternoon 
sun."  In  a  moment  the  water  all  about  the  many  boats  is  a- 
ripple  with  eager  fish,  every  hook  has  been  taken,  and  the  happy 
anglers  are  busy  removing  the  catch  and  dropping  it  into  their 
boats.  The  Mayfly  is  the  lure  in  almost  exclusive  use,  though 
Mr.  Harris  succeeded  in  taking  a  few  fish  with  an  artificial  fly. 
The  great  tenderness  of  the  mouth  of  the  cisco  does  not  permit 
the  angler  to  play  his  fish  except  at  the  almost  certain  risk  of 
losing  it.  So  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  learn  this  species  has 
not  attracted  the  attention  of  anglers  elsewhere. 

In  the  small  Indiana  lakes  in  which  it  is  found  it  comes 
into  the  inlets  or  other  shallow  water  for  spawning  purposes 
usually  between  the  middle  of  November  and  Christmas.  The 
cisco  reaches  a  length  of  14  inches  and  is  regarded  as  a  delicious 
food-fish. 

This  fish  does  not  differ  greatly  from  the  lake  herring. 
The  head  seems  to  be  longer,  the  eye  smaller  and  the  mandible 
and  the  maxillary  a  trifle  shorter.  The  fish  is  rather  smaller 
than,  the  lake  herring.  The  colour  is  not  especially  different. 

Alaska  Herring- 

Argyrosomus  alascanus  Scofield 

This  herring  is  known  only  from  3  specimens,  I  from  salt 
water  at  Point  Hope,  Alaska,  and  2  others  from  freshwater  at 
Grantley  Harbour,  near  Bering  Straits. 

135 


The    Mooneye    Cisco 

The  species  reaches  a  foot  in  length.  It  seems  most  closely 
related  to  the  lake  herring,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly  in  the 
fewer  gillrakers. 

Nothing  is  known  regarding  its  abundance,  distribution,  or 
habits. 

Mooneye  Cisco 

Argyrosomus   hoyi    Gill 

This  fish,  which  is  thus  far  known  only  from  Lake  Michi- 
gan and,  possibly  from  Lake  Superior,  does  not  appear  to  be 
an  abundant  species.  Until  1894  only  2  specimens  were  known, 
but  in  that  year  the  investigations  of  the  United  States  Fish 
Commission  showed  it  to  be  one  of  the  principal  fishes  taken 
in  the  deep-water  gillnet  fishery  in  the  western  part  of  Lake 
Michigan. 

Very  little  is  known  as  to  its  habits.  It  seems  to  be  a  deep- 
water  species  and  it  is  not  known  to  come  into  shallow  water. 
Examples  taken  between  November  5th  and  2Oth  were  all  ripe  or 
nearly  so,  indicating  that  to  be  their  spawning  time,  and  its 
spawning  beds  are  probably  in  deeper  water  than  those  of  other 
species.  Among  other  names  by  which  this  species  is  known  are 
mooneye,  cisco,  kieye,  chub,  and  Hoy's  whitefish.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  12  or  13  inches  and  is  one  of  the  smallest  and  hand- 
somest of  our  whitefishes. 

From  A.  prognathus,  which  it  resembles,  Hoy's  whitefish  may 
be  distinguished  by  the  larger  eye,  the  shorter  maxillary  and  the 
darker  colour. 

Head  4^;  depth  4^;  eye  4^  to  4|;  snout  3!  to  3f;  maxillary 
2f  to  3,  reaching  vertical  of  middle  of  pupil;  mandible  2^-;  D.  10; 
A.  ii  or  12;  scales  8  or  9-73  to  80-7;  gillrakers  14+25  or  26, 
slender,  about  2  in  eye;  vertebrae  56;  B.  8  or  9.  Body  rather 
slender,  compressed,  the  back  somewhat  elevated;  mouth  large, 
subterminal,  the  lower  jaw  shorter  than  the  upper  even  when 
the  mouth  is  open;  tip  of  muzzle  rather  bluntly  truncate,  some- 
what as  in  a  true  Coregonus:  head  rather  long,  slender,  and 
pointed;  suborbital  and  preorbital  long  and  narrow;  distance  from 
tip  of  snout  to  occiput  2%  to  2f  in  distance  from  occiput  to 
origin  of  dorsal  fin;  fins  low;  free  margin  of  dorsal  very  oblique, 
the  length  of  anterior  ray  if  in  head,  that  of  last  ray  less  than 

136 


The   Least   Whitefish 

half  that  of  first;  longest  anal  ray  2f  in  head,  and  more  than 
twice  as  long  as  the  last;  pseudobranchiae  very  large;  tongue 
with  traces  of  teeth.  Colour,  light  iridescent  blue  on  back, 
with  a  few  fine  dark  punctulations  reaching  about  2  scales  below 
lateral  line;  sides  and  under  parts  rich  silvery,  brighter  than  in 
any  other  of  our  Coregonince,  much  as  in  Hiodon  and  Albula;  top 
of  head  light  olivaceous;  cheeks  silvery;  dorsal,  caudal  and  pec- 
torals with  some  dark  on  their  margins;  anal  and  ventrals  white, 
with  some  dark  dustings;  the  male  perhaps  a  little  richer,  more 
iridescent  blue  on  back,  and  with  the  scales  a  little  thicker  and 
less  closely  imbricated. 


Least  Whitefish 

Argyrosomus  pusillus  (Bean) 

This  is  perhaps  the  smallest  of  American  whitefishes,  rarely 
reaching  a  foot  in  length  and  \  pound  in  weight.  It  has  the 
reputation  of  being  more  bony  than  any  other  species.  Its 
habitat  includes  practically  all  of  Alaska  except  the  south-eastern 
portion.  It  is  little  used  as  food  except  for  dogs.  Nothing  is 
known  as  to  its  habits. 

Great  Bear  Lake  Herring 

Argyrosomus  lucidus  (Richardson) 

The  herring  of  Great  Bear  Lake  is  little  known.  The  only 
specimens  we  have  seen  are  2  obtained  in  1894  by  Miss  Elizabeth 
Taylor  and  donated  to  Stanford  University.  These  are  each  16 
inches  long  and  are  the  only  specimens  received  by  any  museum 
since  Richardson's  time,  more  than  half  a  centurv  earlier. 

Lauretta  Whitefish 

Argyrosomus  laurettcs  (Bean) 

This  species  is  known  only  from  the  Yukon  River  northward  to 
Point  Barrow  where  it  is  said  to  be  not  uncommon.  Nothing  is 
known  regarding  its  habits.  It  is  close  to  A.  lucidus,  but  seems  to 
have  a  longer  dorsal  fin. 

137 


The  Bloater  Whitefish 

Bloater  Whitefish 

Argyrosomus  prognathus  (H.  M.  Smith) 

The  bloater  is  known  also  as  bloat,  longjaw,  silver  whitefish,  and, 
sometimes,  cisco  or  ciscoette. 

It  is  known  from  all  the  Great  Lakes  except  Lake  Erie  from 
which  as  yet  no  specimens  have  been  reported.  It  is  probably  most 
abundant  in  Lakes  Ontario  and  Michigan,  where  it  has  good  rank  as  a 
food-fish.  The  flesh  is  firm  and  of  good  flavour.  By  many  people  it 
is  scarcely  less  highly  esteemed  than  the  common  whitefish. 

It  is  highly  prized  in  Lake  Ontario  where  it  often  brings  the  same 
price  as  C.  clupeiformis]  elsewhere  it  usually  sells  for  a  few  cents  a 
pound  less. 

When  properly  cared  for  on  being  caught,  this  fish  is  delicious, 
says  Mr.  Charles  H.  Strowger. 

"  When  salted  it  keeps  well,  and  does  not  lose  its  freshness 
when  cooked.  A  great  deal  of  prejudice  against  the  longjaw  is  enter- 
tained because  of  the  soft  and  damaged  condition  in  which  the  fish  is 
usually  sold  to  consumers. 

It  is  a  fish  that  ought  to  be  iced  as  soon  as  it  is  taken  from  the 
water  and  kept  cold  until  used,  as  it  easily  softens,  and  on  cooking 
becomes  too  greasy  for  ordinary  human  palates  to  enjoy.  When 
fresh  caught  it  is  equal,  in  my  judgment,  to  any  fish  for  delicacy  of 
flavour.  It  is  a  splendid  fish  for  baking  when  of  full  size,  but  small- 
sized  fish  are  always  of  less  value  and  should  not  be  caught." 

The  longjaw  reaches  a  length  of  8  to  16  inches  and  a  weight  of  a 
pound  or  less.  Very  little  is  definitely  known  regarding  the  habits  of 
this  species.  It  seems  to  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  deeper  parts  of  the 
lakes  and  is  not  often  seen  in  shallow  water.  In  Lake  Ontario  it  is 
taken  only  in  depths  of  200  to  400  feet. 

There  is  much  difference  of  opinion  among  fishermen  as  to  the 
spawning  time  of  this  fish.  Fish  with  mature  roe  have  been  reported 
as  early  as  May  17,  and  we  have  seen  ripe  fish  in  late  June  and 
July  in  Lake  Ontario.  Ripe  fish  have  been  reported  in  July  also  from 
Lake  Huron. 

The  indications  are  that  the  bloater  has  a  prolonged  spawning 
period  and  that  it  is  somewhat  earlier  than  that  of  the  common  white- 
fish.  Scarcely  anything  is  known  as  to  the  location  of  the  spawning 

138 


The  Blackfin  Whitefish 

beds,  except  that  they  are   probably  in   relatively   deeper  parts  of 
the  lake. 

Head  4^;  depth  3^  to  4;  eye  5;  maxillary  2|;  mandible 
if  to  if;  D.  9  or  10;  A.  10  to  12;  scales  9-75-8;  vertebrae  55;  gill- 
rakers  about  15+28.  Body  oblong,  much  compressed,  back  elevated, 
the  body  tapering  rather  sharply  toward  the  narrow  caudal  peduncle, 
the  adult  having  a  slight  hump  as  in  C.  clupeiformis ;  mouth  large 
and  strong;  snout  straight,  its  tip  on  a  level  with  lower  edge  of  pupil; 
maxillary  long,  reaching  opposite  pupil,  its  length  3^  times  its  greatest 
width;  mandible  very  long,  projecting  beyond  upper  jaw  when  the 
mouth  is  closed,  reaching  to  or  beyond  posterior  edge  of  the  eye; 
head  rather  short,  deep  and  pointed;  cranial  ridges  prominent;  dorsal 
rather  high,  the  longest  ray  \  longer  than  base  of  fin;  origin  of  dorsal 
nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal.  Colour,  sides  uniformly  bright 
silvery,  with  pronounced  bluish  reflections  in  life;  back  dusky;  under 
parts  pure  white  without  silvery;  above  lateral  line  the  upper  and 
lower  edges  of  the  scales  finely  punctulate  with  dark,  the  central 
part  unmarked,  producing  light  longitudinal  stripes  extending  whole 
length  of  body;  fins  flesh-colour  or  pinkish  in  life,  the  dorsal  and 
caudal  usually  showing  dusky  edges;  postorbital  area  with  bright 
golden  reflection;  iris  golden,  pupil  black. 


Blackfin    Whitefish 

Argyrosomus  nigripinnis  Gill 

The  blackfin  whitefish  is  known  certainly  only  from  Lake 
Michigan  and  Miltona  Lake,  Minnesota,  though  it  has  been  re- 
ported from  other  small  deepwater  lakes  of  Minnesota  and  Wis- 
consin. It  has  also  been  reported  from  Lake  Superior,  but  all 

139 


The  Tullibee 

the  specimens  of  so-called  blackfin  or  bluefin  that  we  have  seen 
from  that  lake  are  the  longjaw.  The  blackfin  is  probably  the 
most  abundant  fish  of  commercial  importance  in  the  deeper  waters 
of  Lake  Michigan.  It  occurs  in  schools,  like  other  members  of 
the  group,  and  is  associated  with  the  lake  trout  and  other  deep- 
water  species. 

The  spawning  season  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  common 
whitefish — in  November  to  December.  Then  the  fish  come  out 
upon  rocky  bottom  where  the  eggs  are  deposited.  A  favourite 
resort  for  blackfin  is  said  to  be  the  Mudhole,  a  large  depression 
20  miles  east  of  Sheboygan,  in  which  the  depth  is  about  90 
feet.  The  principal  method  by  which  the  blackfin  is  taken  is  in 
the  gillnets.  It  is  regarded  as  a  good  food-fish.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  1 8  inches,  and  a  weight  of  one  to  2  pounds. 

Head  4;  depth  4;  eye  4^;  D.  12;  A.  12;  scales  9  or  10-73 
to  77-7  or  8;  vertebrae  57;  gillrakers  about  18+30,  rather  long 
and  slender,  i£  in  eye  or  2  in  maxillary.  Body  stout,  fusiform 
and  compressed;  head  and  mouth  large;  lower  jaw  slightly  pro- 
jecting; the  maxillary  %  greater  than  eye  and  reaching  vertical  of 
front  of  pupil;  distance  from  tip  of  snout  to  occiput  about  3^ 
in  distance  from  snout  to  origin  of  dorsal  fin;  back  not  arched, 
profile  from  occiput  to  origin  of  dorsal  fin  very  gently  curved; 
eye  rather  large,  longer  than  snout;  teeth  very  feeble  but  appre- 
ciable on  the  maxillaries  and  tongue.  Colour,  dark  bluish  above, 
sides  silvery,  with  dark  punctulations;  fins  all  blue-black.  This 
species  attains  a  larger  size  than  any  of  the  other  ciscoes,  and 
has  a  larger  mouth  than  any  other  except  the  bloater.  It  may 
be  readily  known  by  its  black  fins. 

Tullibee 

Argyrosmus  tullibee  (Richardson) 

This  species  was  first  described  from  Pine  Island  Lake,  Cum- 
berland House,  British  Columbia.  It  is  now  known  from  Lakes 
Onondaga  (New  York),  Erie,  Superior  and  Michigan;  also  from 
Lake  of  the  Woods,  Lake  Winnipeg,  Albany  River,  Qu'  Appelle 
River,  and  other  waters  northward.  It  has  not  been  reported 
from  Lake  Ontario  or  Lake  Huron. 

The  tullibee  attains  a  length  of  1 8  or  20  inches,  and  a  weight 
of  $\  pounds.  It  ranks  high  as  a  food-fish,  but  its  commercial 
importance  is  as  yet  limited. 

140 


The  Tullibee 

In  the  Great  Lakes  it  is  not  at  all  common,  but  in  Lake  of 
the  Woods  it  is  quite  abundant,  and  considerable  quantities  are 
shipped  to  Sandusky.  In  the  provinces  of  Assiniboia  and  Mani- 
toba the  fish  is  taken  in  large  numbers  for  local  consumption, 
in  gillnets  and  in  traps  made  of  brush  and  stones. 

Writing  of  the  tullibee  in  the  lakes  of  the  western  territories 
of  Canada,  Mr.  F.  C.  Gilchrist,  of  Fort  Qu'  Appelle,  says: 

"  In  September  they  will  again  be  found  gradually  nearing 
the  shoal  water,  feeding  heavily,  and  plump  with  fat  and  the 
now  swelling  ovaries.  Later  on  they  appear  to  eat  little  or 
nothing,  and  devote  all  their  time  to  playing  until  about  the  25th 
of  October,  when  they  have  settled  down  to  the  business  of 
propagation,  which  they  have  finished  by  November  10.  They 
prefer  shallow  water  close  to  the  shore  with  clean  sand  to 
spawn  on,  and  during  the  day  they  may  be  seen  in  pairs  and 
small  schools,  poking  along  the  shores,  but  at  night  they  come 
in  thousands  and  keep  up  a  constant  loud  splashing  and  flutter- 
ing, very  strange  and  weird  on  a  calm  night.  Two  years  ago  I 
carefully  counted  the  cva  from  a  ripe  fish  2\  pounds  in  weight, 
and  found  there  were  23,700,  closely  resembling  whitefish  eggs  in 
appearance,  but  somewhat  smaller.  After  spawning  the  fish  are 
very  thin,  lank,  dull  in  colour,  and  quite  unfit  for  human  food." 

Mr.  James  Annin,  Jr.,  in  speaking  of  the  tullibee  of  Lake 
Onondaga,  says  they  generally  commence  running  up  on  to  the 
shoals  about  November  15,  and  the  season  extends  into 
December. 

They  come  up  to  the  banks  or  gravelly  shoals  and  spawn 
in  from  3  to  6  and  7  feet  of  water.  They  have  never  been 
caught  with  hook  in  this  lake,  and  an  old  fisherman  told  me 
that  he  had  tried  almost  every  kind  of  bait,  and  had  used  the 
very  finest  gut  and  the  smallest  hooks  baited  with  Gammarus 
(freshwater  shrimps)  and  other  kinds  of  natural  food — that  is  he 
supposed  the  food  was  natural  to  them.  At  the  same  time  he 
claims  he  could  see  them  in  large  schools  lying  in  the  water  8 
or  10  feet  from  the  surface. 

Head  4  to  4^;  depth  3  to  3f ;  eye  4  to  5;  snout  about  5;  D.  10  to 
12;  A.  ii  or  12;  scales  9-68  to  71-8;  gillrakers  16  to  18+30  to  34, 
i  to  i£  in  eye;  maxillary  3^;  mandible  2  to  2\.  Body  short  and 
deep,  compressed,  the  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  similarly  curved; 
head  small,  conic,  and  compressed;  mouth  large,  lower  jaw  project- 

141 


Bissell's  Whitefish 

ing;  middle  of  upper  lip  on  a  level  with  middle  of  pupil; 
maxillary  long,  moderately  broad,  reaching  anterior  edge  of  pupil, 
the  width  about  3  in  its  length ;  supplemental  maxillary  bone  well 
developed,  nearly  half  length  of  maxillary,  its  width  2f  in  its  length ; 
mandible  long,  reaching  posterior  edge  of  pupil;  distance  from 
tip  of  snout  to  occiput  half  that  from  occiput  to  origin  of  dorsal 
fin,  which  is  midway  between  tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal 
fin;  caudal  peduncle  short,  compressed  and  deep,  its  least  depth 
about  2\  in  head;  fins  all  rather  large;  height  of  dorsal  \\  in  head, 
its  base  if  in  its  longest  ray;  anal  base  very  oblique,  equal  to 
longest  ray,  which  is  about  equal  to  base  of  dorsal  fin;  pectorals 
and  ventrals  long,  almost  equal  to  longest  dorsal  ray;  scales  firm, 
considerably  enlarged  anteriorly;  free  margins  of  the  scales  less 
convex  than  in  other  species,  often  emarginate,  especially  on 
anterior  part  of  body;  lateral  line  straight  and  in  a  line  with 
upper  rim  of  orbit;  tongue  with  a  patch  of  fine  teeth  near  the 
tip  ;  gillrakers  numerous,  long  and  slender.  Colour,  iridescent 
bluish  above,  sides  and  under  parts  silvery;  older  individuals 
darker  above,  and  with  more  golden  reflections  on  sides;  fins 
all  more  or  less  evidently  black-tipped;  upper  edge  of  pectoral 
margined  with  black.  From  all  other  whitefishes  the  tullibee  is 
easily  distinguished  by  the  short,  deep  body  and  the  closely 
imbricated  scales  whose  margins  are  scarcely  convex  or  even 
emarginate. 

Bissell's  Whitefish 

Argyrosomus  bisselli  (Bollman) 

In  Rawson  and  Howard  lakes,  Michigan,  and  perhaps  in  other 
small  lakes  of  that  state,  is  found  a  whitefish  closely  related  to 
the  tullibee  and  possibly  intergrading  with  it;  the  maxillary  seems, 
however,  to  be  somewhat  longer,  the  scales  are  smaller,  the  lower 
jaw  longer,  and  the  supraorbital  bone  elongate  pear-shaped. 

Nothing  has  been  recorded  as  to  the  habits,  size  or  abundance 
of  this  fish. 

Inconnu 

Stenodus  mackenzii  (Richardson) 

The  inconnu  is  a  large,  coarse  salmonid  inhabiting  the 
larger  streams  of  Alaska  and  northwestern  British  America.  It 
is  known  from  the  Yukon  and  Mackenzie  rivers,  and  the  tribu- 
taries of  the  latter  below  the  cascades;  locally  abundant  and 
reaching  a  large  size,  usually  5  to  15  pounds,  but  sometimes  30 

142 


The   Pacific   Salmon 

to  40  pounds.  Its  large  size  and  comparative  abundance  render 
the  inconnu  of  considerable  commercial  importance,  especially  in 
the  Yukon  since  the  great  development  of  the  gold-fields  of  that 
region.  Little  or  nothing  is  known  of  the  habits  of  this  species. 

Head  4|;  eye  6;  D.  12;  A.  14;  scales  100;.  gillrakers  7+17. 
Eye  less  than  snout,  nearly  equalling  the  narrow  interorbital ; 
maxillary  reaching  the  vertical  of  posterior  edge  of  pupil,  its 
length  very  slightly  more  than  ^  head;  supplemental  bone  long 
and  narrow,  nearly  as  wide  as  the  maxillary,  the  anterior  end 
notched,  the  angle  above  the  notch  sharply  pointed,  the  lower 
angle  bluntly  rounded;  the  gillraker  in  the  angle  very  stiff  and 
bony. 


GENUS  ONCORHYNCHUS  SUCKLEY 
The   Pacific  Salmon 

Body  rather  long,  subfusiform,  and  compressed;  mouth  wide, 
the  maxillary  long,  lanceolate,  usually  extending  beyond  the  eye; 
jaws  with  moderate  teeth,  which  become  in  the  adult  male 
enormously  enlarged  in  front  during  the  spawning  season;  vomer 
long  and  narrow,  flat,  with  a  series  of  teeth  both  on  the  head 
and  the  shaft,  the  latter  series  comparatively  short  and  weak; 
palatines  with  a  series  of  teeth ;  tongue  with  a  marginal  series  on 
each  side;  teeth  on  vomer  and  tongue  often  lost  with  age;  no 
teeth  on  hyoid  bone;  anal  fin  comparatively  long,  of  14  to  20 
rays;  pyloric  coeca  very  numerous;  gillrakers  numerous;  ova  large 
and  comparatively  few.  Sexual  peculiarities  very  strongly  devel- 
oped, the  snout  in  the  adult  males  greatly  distorted  during  the 
breeding  season,  the  premaxillaries  prolonged,  hooking  over  the 
lower  jaw,  which  in  turn  is  greatly  elongate  and  somewhat  hooked 
at  the  tip;  the  body  becomes  deep  and  compressed,  a  fleshy  hump 
is  developed  before  the  dorsal  fin,  and  the  scales  become  em- 
bedded in  the  flesh,  and  the  flesh,  which  is  red  and  rich  in  the 
spring,  becomes  dry  and  poor. 

The  American  species  of  this  genus,  5  in  number,  are  mostly 
salmon  of  large  size,  ascending  the  rivers  tributary  to  the  North 
Pacific  in  America  and  Asia.  The  genus  is  very  close  to  Salmo, 
differing  chiefly  in  the  increased  number  of  anal  rays. 

143 


The  Pacific    Salmon 

Concerning  the  habits  and  distribution  of  the  salmon  we  quote 
(with  such  modifications  as  later  observations  necessitate)  the  fol- 
lowing, based  upon  investigations  made  by  Jordan,  Evermann,  and 
Gilbert. 

Of  the  species  of  Oncorhynchus,  the  blueback  (O.  nerka)  pre- 
dominates in  Fraser  River  and  in  the  Yukon  River,  the  silver 
salmon  (O.  kisutch)  in  Puget  Sound,  the  quinnat  (O.  tschaivytscha) 
in  the  Columbia  and  the  Sacramento,  and  the  dog  salmon  in  most 
of  the  streams  along  the  coast.  All  the  species  have  been  seen 
by  us  in  the  Columbia  and  Fraser  River;  all  but  the  blueback 
in  the  Sacramento,  and  all  in  waters  tributary  to  Puget  Sound. 
Only  the  quinnat  or  king  salmon  has  been  noticed  south  of  San 
Francisco.  Its  range  has  been  traced  as  far  as  Ventura  River. 
Of  these  species,  the  king  salmon  and  blueback  salmon  habit- 
ually "run"  in  the  spring,  the  others  in  the  fall.  The  usual 
order  of  running  in  the  rivers  is  as  follows:  nerka,  tschawytscha, 
kisutch,  gorbuscha,  heta.  According  to  early  authors,  the  tscha- 
wytscha precedes  nerka  in  Kamchatka. 

The  economic  value  of  the  spring-running  salmon  is  far 
greater  than  that  of  the  other  species,  because  they  can  be  cap- 
tured in  numbers  when  at  their  best,  while  the  others  are  usu- 
ally taken  only  after  deterioration.  To  this  fact  the  worthlessness 
of  Oncorhynchus  heta,  as  compared  with  the  other  species,  is  prob- 
ably chiefly  due. 

The  habits  of  the  salmon  in  the  ocean  are  not  easily  studied. 
King  salmon  and  silver  salmon  of  all  sizes  are  taken  with  the 
seine  at  almost  any  season  in  Puget  Sound.  This  would  indi- 
cate that  these  species  do  not  go  far  from  the  shore.  The  king 
salmon  takes  the  hook  freely  in  Monterey  Bay,  both  near  the 
shore  and  at  a  distance  of  6  to  8  miles  out.  We  have  reason 
to  believe  that  these  2  species  do  not  necessarily  seek  great 
depths,  but  probably  remain  not  very  far  from  the  mouth  of  the 
rivers  in  which  they  were  spawned.  The  blueback  and  the  dog 
salmon  probably  seek  deeper  water,  as  the  former  is  seldom 
taken  with  the  seine  in  the  ocean,  and  the  latter  is  known  to 
enter  the  Straits  of  Fuca  at  the  spawning  season,  therefore  com- 
ing in  from  the  open  sea.  The  run  of  the  king  salmon  and  the 
blueback  begins  generally  at  the  last  of  March;  it  lasts,  with 
various  modifications  and  interruptions,  until  the  actual  spawning 
season,  August  to  November,  the  time  of  running  and  the  propor- 

144 


The  Pacific  Salmon 

tionate  amount  in  each  of  the  subordinate  runs  varying  with 
each  different  river.  By  the  last  of  July  only  straggling  blue- 
backs  can  be  found  in  the  lower  course  of  any  stream;  but 
both  in  the  Columbia  and  in  the  Sacramento  the  quinnat  runs 
in  considerable  numbers,  at  least  till  October.  In  the  Sacra- 
mento the  run  is  greatest  in  the  fall,  and  more  run  in  the 
summer  than  in  spring.  The  spring  salmon  ascend  only  those 
rivers  which  are  fed  by  the  melting  snows  from  the  mountains, 
and  which  have  sufficient  volume  to  send  their  waters  well  out  to 
sea.  Those  salmon  which  run  in  the  spring  are  chiefly  adults 
(supposed  to  be  at  least  3  years  old).  Their  milt  and  spawn 
are  no  more  developed  than  at  the  same  time  in  others  of  the  same 
species  which  are  not  to  enter  the  rivers  until  fall.  It  would 
appear  that  the  contact  with  cold  fresh  water,  when  in  the 
ocean,  in  some  way  causes  them  to  run  toward  it,  and  to  run 
before  there  is  any  special  influence  to  that  end  exerted  by  the 
development  of  the  organs  of  generation.  High  water  on  any 
of  these  rivers  in  the  spring  is  always  followed  by  an  increased 
run  of  salmon.  The  salmon  canners  think,  and  this  is  probably 
true,  that  salmon  which  would  not  have  run  till  later  are  brought 
up  by  the  contact  with  the  cold  water.  The  cause  of  this  effect 
of  cold  fresh  water  is  not  understood.  We  may  call  it  an  in- 
stinct of  the  salmon,  which  is  another  way  of  expressing  our 
ignorance.  In  general,  it  seems  to  be  true  that  in  those  rivers 
and  during  those  years  when  the  spring  run  is  greatest,  the  fall 
run  is  least  to  be  depended  upon.  It  varies  for  each  of  the 
different  rivers,  and  for  different  parts  of  the  same  river.  It 
doubtless  extends  from  July  to  December.  The  manner  of  spawn- 
ing is  probably  similar  for  all  the  species,  but  we  have  no  data 
for  any  except  the  quinnat  and  the  redfish.  In  these  species 
the  fishes  pair  off;  the  male,  with  tail  and  snout,  excavates  a 
broad,  shallow  "nest"  in  the  gravelly  bed  of  the  stream,  in 
rapid  water,  at  a  depth  of  i  to  4  feet;  the  female  deposits  her 
eggs  in  it,  and  after  the  exclusion  of  the  milt,  they  cover  them 
with  stones  and  gravel.  They  then  float  down  the  stream  tail 
foremost.  As  already  stated,  a  great  majority  of  them  die.  In 
the  head  waters  of  the  large  streams,  unquestionably  all  die;  and 
we  now  believe  all  die  after  once  spawning,  regardless  of  where 
the  spawning  beds  may  be.  The  young  hatch  in  120  to  180  days. 
The  salmon  of  all  kinds,  in  the  spring  are  silvery,  spotted  or 

'45 


The  Pacific  Salmon 

not,  according  to  the  species,  and  with  the  mouth  about  equally 
symmetrical  in  both  sexes.  As  the  spawning  season  approaches 
the  female  loses  her  silvery  colour,  becomes  more  slimy,  the 
scales  on  the  back  partly  sink  into  the  skin,  and  the  flesh  changes 
from  salmon-red  and  becomes  variously  paler  from  the  loss  of 
oil,  the  degree  of  paleness  varying  much  with  individuals  and 
with  inhabitants  of  different  rivers.  In  the  Sacramento  the  flesh 
of  the  quinnat,  in  either  spring  or  fall,  is  rarely  pale.  In  the 
Columbia  a  few  with  pale  flesh  are  sometimes  taken  in  spring, 
and  a  good  many  in  the  fall.  In  Fraser  River  the  fall  run  of 
the  quinnat  is  nearly  worthless  for  canning  purposes,  because  so 
many  are  "  white-meated."  In  the  spring  very  few  are  "white- 
meated,"  but  the  number  increases  toward  fall,  when  there  is 
every  variation,  some  having  red  streaks  running  through  them, 
others  being  red  toward  the  head  and  pale  toward  the  tail. 
The  red  and  pale  ones  can  not  be  distinguished  externally,  and 
the  colour  is  dependent  upon  neither  age  nor  sex.  There  is 
said  to  be  no  difference  in  the  taste,  but  there  is  no  market 
for  canned  salmon  not  of  the  conventional  orange  colour. 

As  the  season  advances,  the  difference  between  the  males 
and  females  becomes  more  and  more  marked,  and  keeps  pace 
with  the  development  of  the  milt,  as  is  shown  by  dissection. 
The  males  have  (i)  the  premaxillaries  and  the  tip  of  the  lower 
jaw  more  and  more  prolonged,  both  of  the  jaws  becoming, 
finally,  strongly  and  often  extravagantly  hooked,  so  that  either  they 
shut  by  the  side  of  each  other  like  shears,  or  else  the  mouth  can 
not  be  closed.  (2)  The  front  teeth  become  very  long  and  canine- 
like,  their  growth  proceeding  very  rapidly,  until  they  are  often  £ 
inch  long.  (3)  The  teeth  on  the  vomer  and  tongue  often  .disappear. 
(4)  The  body  grows  more  compressed  and  deeper  at  the  shoulders, 
so  that  a  very  distinct  hump  is  formed;  this  is  more  developed 
in  Oncorhynchus  gorbuscha,  but  is  found  in  all.  (5)  The  scales 
disappear,  especially  on  the  back,  by  the  growth  of  spongy  skin. 
(6)  The  colour  changes  from  silvery  to  various  shades  of  black 
and  red,  or  blotchy,  according  to  the  species.  The  blueback 
turns  rosy  or  brick-red,  the  dog  salmon  a  dull  blotchy  red,  and 
the  quinnat  generally  blackish.  The  distorted  males  are  com- 
monly considered  worthless,  rejected  by  the  canners  and  salmon 
salters,  but  preserved  by  the  Indians.  These  changes  are  due 
solely  to  influences  connected  with  the  growth  of  the  reproduc- 

146 


The  Pacific  Salmon 

t.ive  organs.  They  are  not  in  any  way  due  to  the  action  of 
fresh  water.  They  take  place  at  about  the  same  time  in  the 
adult  males  of  all  species,  whether  in  the  ocean  or  in  the  rivers. 
At  the  time  of  the  spring  runs  all  are  symmetrical.  In  the  fall 
all  males,  of  whatever  species,  are  more  or  less  distorted. 
Among  the  dog  salmon,  which  run  only  in  the  fall,  the  males 
are  hook-jawed  and  red-blotched  when  they  first  enter  the  Straits 
of  Fuca  from  the  outside.  The  humpback,  taken  in  salt  water 
about  Seattle,  have  the  same  peculiarities.  The  male  is  slab- 
sided,  hook-billed,  and  destorted,  and  is  rejected  by  the  canners. 

On  first  entering  a  stream  the  salmon  swim  about  as  if 
playing.  They  always  head  toward  the  current,  and  this  appear- 
ance of  playing  may  be  simply  due  to  facing  the  moving  tide. 
Afterward  they  enter  the  deepest  parts  of  the  stream  and  swim 
straight  up,  with  few  interruptions.  Their  rate  of  travel  at  Sac- 
ramento is  estimated  by  Stone  at  about  2  miles  per  day;  on 
the  Columbia  at  about  3  miles  per  day.  Those  who  enter  the 
Columbia  in  the  spring  and  ascend  to  the  mountain  rivers  of 
Idaho  must  go  at  a  more  rapid  rate  than  this,  as  they  must 
make  an  average  of  nearly  4  miles  per  day. 

As  already  stated,  the  economic  value  of  any  species  depends 
in  great  part  on  its  being  a  "spring  salmon."  It  is  not  generally 
possible  to  capture  salmon  of  any  species  in  large  numbers  until 
they  have  entered  the  rivers,  and  the  spring  salmon  enter  the 
rivers  long  before  the  growth  of  the  organs  of  reproduction  has 
reduced  the  richness  of  the  flesh.  The  fall  salmon  can  not  be  taken 
in  quantity  until  their  flesh  has  deteriorated;  hence,  the  dog  salmon 
is  practically  almost  worthless,  except  to  the  Indians,  and  the  hump- 
back salmon  is  little  better.  The  silver  salmon  with  the  same 
breeding  habits  as  the  dog  salmon,  is  more  valuable,  as  it  is  found  in 
the  inland  waters  of  Puget  Sound  for  a  considerable  time  before  the 
fall  rains  cause  the  fall  runs,  and  it  may  be  taken  in  large  numbers 
with  seines  before  the  season  for  entering  the  rivers.  The  quinnat 
or  chinook  salmon,  from  its  great  size  and  abundance,  is  more 
valuable  than  all  the  other  fishes  on  our  Pacific  Coast  taken  together. 
The  blueback,  similar  in  flesh,  but  much  smaller  and  less  abundant, 
is  worth  much  more  than  the  combined  value  of  the  three  remaining 
species  of  salmon. 

The  fall  salmon  of  all  species,  but  especially  of  the  dog  salmon, 
ascend  streams  but  a  short  distance  before  spawning.  They  seem 

147 


The  Pacific  Salmon 

to  be  in  great  anxiety  to  find  fresh  water,  and  many  of  them  work 
their  way  up  little  brooks  only  a  few  inches  deep,  where  they  perish 
miserably,  floundering  about  on  the  stones.  Every  stream,  of  what- 
ever kind,  has  more  or  less  of  these  fall  salmon. 

It  is  the  prevailing  impression  that  the  salmon  have  some 
special  instinct  which  leads  them  to  return  to  spawn  on  the  same 
spawning  grounds  where  they  were  originally  hatched.  We  fail 
to  find  any  evidence  of  this  in  the  case  of  the  Pacific  Coast 
salmon,  and  we  do  not  believe  it  to  be  true.  It  seems  more 
probable  that  the  young  salmon  hatched  in  any  river  mostly  re- 
main in  the  ocean  within  a  radius  of  20,  30  or  40  miles  of  its 
mouth.  These,  in  their  movements  about  in  the  ocean,  may 
come  into  contact  with  the  cold  waters  of  their  parent  river,  or 
perhaps  of  any  other  river,  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
shore.  In  the  case  of  the  quinnat  and  the  blueback,  their 
"instinct"  seems  to  lead  them  to  ascend  these  fresh  waters, 
and,  in  a  majority  of  cases,  these  waters  will  be  those  in 
which  the  fishes  in  question  were  originally  spawned.  Later  in 
the  season  the  growth  of  the  reproductive  organs  leads  them  to 
approach  the  shore  and  search  for  fresh  waters,  and  still  the 
chances  are  that  they  may  find  the  original  stream.  But  undoubt- 
edly many  fall  salmon  ascend,  or  try  to  ascend,  streams  in  which 
no  salmon  were  ever  hatched.  In  little  brooks  about  Puget 
Sound,  where  the  water  is  not  3  inches  deep,  are  often  found 
dead  or  dying  salmon,  which  have  entered  them  for  the  pur- 
pose of  spawning.  It  is  said  of  the  Russian  River  and  other 
California  rivers,  that  their  mouths  in  the  time  of  low  water  In 
summer  generally  become  entirely  closed  by  sand  bars,  and  that 
the  salmon  in  their  eagerness  to  ascend  them  frequently  fling 
themselves  entirely  out  of  water  on  the  beach.  But  this  does  not 
prove  that  the  salmon  are  guided  by  a  marvellous  geographical 
instinct  which  leads  them  to  their  parent  river  in  spite  of  the 
fact  that  the  river  can  not  be  found.  The  waters  of  Russian 
River  soak  through  these  sand  bars,  and  the  salmon  instinct, 
we  think,  leads  them  merely  to  search  for  fresh  waters.  This 
matter  is  in  much  need  of  further  investigation;  at  present,  how- 
ever, we  find  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  salmon  enter  the 
Rogue  River  simply  because  they  were  spawned  there,  or  that 
a  salmon  hatched  in  the  Clackamas  River  is  more  likely  on  that 


148 


The  Humpback  Salmon 

account  to  return  to  the  Clackamas  than  to  go  up  the  Cowlitz 
or  the  Des  Chutes. 

Commercially  speaking  the  Pacific  salmon  are  unquestionably 
the  most  valuable  fish  in  the  world. 

The  market  value  of  the  entire  salmon  catch  on  our  west  coast, 
including  Alaska,  exceeds  $13,000,000  annually,  and  this  vast 
amount  is  represented  chiefly  by  the  2  species,  the  chinook  and 
blueback,  the  catch  of  the  3  other  species  being  in  comparison 
insignificant. 

No  other  fish  is  so  extensively  canned  or  is  held  in  such  high 
esteem. 

a.  Gillrakers   20  to  25,    comparatively   short  and    few. 

b.  Scales  very  small,  more  than  200  in  a  longitudinal  series;   caudal 

spots   large,    oblong; gorbuscha,   149 

bb.  scales  medium,  138  to  155  in  longitudinal  series;  pyloric  coeca 
about  150. 

c.  Anal    rays    13    or    14  ;    black  spots    small    or    obsolete  ;    bran- 

chiostegals    13   or    14; keta,   150 

cc.   Anal  rays   about    16;    back   and   upper  fins   with   round    black 

spots ;    branchipstegals    15  to   19 ; tschawytscha,  1 5 1 

bbb.    Scales   comparatively  large,   125   to    135   in  longitudinal  series, 

pyloric  coeca  50  to  80 ; kisutch,   1 54 

aa.  Gillrakers  comparatively  long  and  numerous,  30  to  40  in  number; 
scales  large;  lateral  line  about  130;  back  in  adult  usually 
unspotted;  clear  blue  in  spring,  red  in  fall;  young  more  or 
less  spotted ; nerka,  155 


Humpback  Salmon 

Oncorhynchus  gorbuscha  (Walbaum) 

The    humpback   salmon   reaches   a   weight  of  3   to  6  pounds 


149 


The   Dog   Salmon 

and  is  the  smallest  of  the  genus.  It  is  found  on  the  Pacific  Coast 
and  ascending  the  rivers  of  America  and  Asia  from  California  and 
Japan  northward. 

In  the  rivers  of  Alaska  it  appears  every  year  in  great  abundance ; 
in  Puget  Sound  there  seems  to  be  a  periodicity  in  its  movements,  the 
runs  of  the  alternate,  odd  years  (1887,  1889,  etc.)  being  much  larger 
than  in  the  even  years.  In  the  Sacramento  River  it  occurs  each  year 
but  in  very  limited  numbers  and  is  there  known  as  the  lost  salmon. 
Among  other  names  applied  to  this  species  are  haddo,  holia,  and  dog 
salmon  of  Alaska,  though  it  is  not  the  real  dog  salmon. 

Branchiostegals  n  or  12;  gillrakers  13+15;  A.  15;  D.  n; 
scales  210  to  240,  about  170  in  the  lateral  line;  pyloric  coeca  very 
slender,  about  180.  Body  rather  slender,  in  the  female  plump  and 
symmetrical, in  the  fall  males  very  thin  and  compressed,  with  the  fleshy 
dorsal  hump  much  developed,  the  jaws  greatly  elongated,  strongly 
hooked,  and  with  extravagant  canines  in  front,  ventral  appendage 
half  as  long  as  the  fin.  Colour,  bluish,  sides  silvery;  back  posteriorly, 
adipose  fin,  and  tail  with  numerous  black  spots,  those  of  the 
caudal  fin  oblong  in  form  and  especially  large ;  fall  males  red,  more 
or  less  blotched  with  brownish.  This  species  may  be  known  at  once 
by  the  very  small  scales  and  the  coarse,  oblong  spots  on  the  tail. 
In  Japan  is  a  very  similar  species,  Oncorhynchus  masou  Brevoort, 
with  equally  small  scales,  but  the  tail  unspotted. 

The  humpback  salmon  has  not  usually  been  regarded  as 
possessing  any  food-value,  but  in  some  of  the  salmon  canneries 
it  is  now  canned  and  shipped  East  and  South,  where  it  is  put  upon 
the  market  under  fictitious  labels  and  retailed  as  one  of  the  cheaper 
grades  of  salmon.  It  is  often  called  "negro  salmon  "at  the  can- 
neries, but  when  prepared,  the  name  "pink  salmon"  is  in  common 
use,  as  distinguished  from  the  "  red  salmon,"  Oncorhynchus  nerka. 


Dog  Salmon 

Oncorhynchus  keta  (Walbaum) 

The  dog  salmon  reaches  a  weight  of  10  to  12  pounds.  It 
is  found  usually  in  great  abundance  from  the  Sacramento  north- 
ward to  Kamchatka  and  Bering  Straits,  ascending  all  suitable 
streams  in  the  fall,  and  spawning  at  no  great  distance  from  the 

150 


The  Chinook  Salmon 

sea  in  the  smaller  streams,  which  they  enter  in  marvellous  num- 
bers, crowding  upon  each  other  in  the  most  appalling  manner. 
As  a  food-fish  the  dog  salmon  (also  known  as  the  calico 
salmon,  hayho,  or  tekai  salmon)  is  the  least  valuable  of  the 
genus.  Not  until  recent  years  was  it  used  at  all  by  the  can- 
ners,  and  even  now  when  used  it  is  put  upon  the  market 
under  fictitious  names.  At  the  time  of  its  run  the  males  of  this 
species  are  much  distorted,  and  the  flesh  is  valueless.  This 
species  is  the  common  large  salmon  or  sake  of  the  rivers  of 
Japan. 

Head  4;  depth  4;  D.  9;  A.  13  or  14;  scales  about  28-150-30; 
branchiostegals  13  or  14;  gillrakers  9+15;  pyloric  cosca  140  to 
185.  General  form  that  of  the  chinook,  but  the  head  rather 
longer,  more  depressed  and  pike-like;  preopercle  more  broadly 
convex  behind,  and  the  maxillary  extending  considerably  beyond 
the  eye;  gillrakers  few,  coarse  and  stout;  accessory  pectoral  scale 
short,  less  than  half  length  of  fin.  Colour,  dusky  above;  sides 
paler,  little  lustrous;  back  and  sides  with  no  definite  spots,  but 
with  fine  punctulations  which  are  often  entirely  obsolete;  head 
dusky,  scarcely  any  metallic  lustre  on  head  or  tail;  caudal  dusky, 
plain,  or  very  finely  spotted,  its  edge  usually  distinctly  blackish; 
fins  all  mostly  blackish,  especially  in  males;  breeding  males  gen- 
erally blackish  above,  the  sides  brick-red,  often  barred  or 
mottled. 

Chinook  Salmon 

Oncorhynchus  tschawytscha  (Walbaum) 

Other  names  by  which  this  fish  is  known  are  quinnat 
salmon,  king  salmon,  Columbia  River  salmon,  Sacramento  salmon, 
tyee,  tchaviche,  and  tschawytscha. 

It  is  found  on  both  coasts  of  the  Pacific,  from  Monterey 
Bay,  California,  and  China,  north  to  Bering  Straits,  ascending  all 
large  streams,  especially  the  Sacramento,  Columbia  and  Yukon, 
in  all  of  which  it  is  very  abundant.  It  ascends  the  large  rivers 
in  spring  and  summer,  moving  up  without  feeding,  until  the 
spawning  season,  by  which  time  many  of  those  which  started 
first  may  have  travelled  a  thousand  miles  or  more.  The  run 
begins  in  the  Columbia  River  as  early  as  February  or  March. 
At  first  they  travel  leisurely,  moving  up  only  a  few  miles  each 


The  Chinook  Salmon 

day.  As  they  go  farther  and  farther  up-stream  they  swim  rather 
more  rapidly.  Those  that  enter  the  river  first  are  the  ones 
which  will  go  farthest  toward  the  head  waters,  many  of  them 
going  to  spawning  beds  in  Salmon  River  in  the  Sawtooth 
Mountains  of  Idaho,  more  than  1,000  miles  from  the  sea.  Those 
which  enter  the  river  later  travel  more  rapidly,  but  do  not  go 
so  far  toward  the  headwaters,  while  those  last  to  pass  by  Astoria 
have  so  long  delayed  the  movement  that  they  are  nearly  ready 
to  spawn  and,  consequently,  must  travel  rapidly  and  enter  the 
first  small  tributary  streams  which  they  reach.  Those  which  go  to 
the  headwaters  of  the  Snake  River  in  the  Sawtooth  Mountains 
spawn  in  August  and  early  September;  those  going  to  the  Big 
Sandy  in  Oregon,  in  July  and  early  August;  those  going  up 
Snake  River  to  upper  Salmon  Falls,  in  October;  while  those 
entering  the  small  lower  tributaries  of  the  Columbia  or  the  small 
coastal  streams  spawn  even  as  late  as  December.  Observations 
which  we  have  made  at  various  places  indicate  that  wherever 
the  spawning  beds  may  be,  spawning  will  not  begin  until  the 
temperature  of  the  water  has  fallen  to  54°  Fahr.  If  the  fish 
reach  the  spawning  grounds  when  the  temperature  is  above  54°, 
they  wait  until  the  water  cools  down  to  the  required  degree. 

It  has  been  often  stated  and  generally  believed  that  the  sal- 
mon receive  many  injuries  by  striking  against  rocks  and  in  other 
ways  while  en  route  to.  their  spawning  grounds  and,  as  a  result 
from  these  injuries,  those  which  go  long  distances  from  the  sea 
die  after  once  spawning.  An  examination  of  many  salmon  at 
the  time  of  arrival  on  their  spawning  beds  in  central  Idaho 
showed  every  fish  to  be  entirely  without  mutilations  of  any  kind, 
and  apparently  in  excellent  condition.  Mutilations,  however,  soon 
appeared,  resulting  from  abrasions  received  on  the  spawning 
beds  while  pushing  the  gravel  about  or  rubbing  against  it,  and, 
from  fighting  with  each  other,  which  is  sometimes  quite  severe. 

The  spawning  act  extends  over  several  days,  the  eggs  being 
deposited  upon  beds  of  fine  gravel  in  clear,  cold  mountain 
streams.  Soon  after  they  have  done  spawning  both  males  and 
females  die,  each  individual  spawning  only  once.  This  is  true  of 
all,  whether  spawning  remote  from  salt  water  or  only  a  few 
miles  or  yards  from  the  sea.  The  cause  of  their  dying  is  not 
conditioned  upon  distance  from  the  sea,  but  is  general  in  its 
application  to  all  species  of  Pacific  Coast  salmon. 


SALMON  JUMPING  A  FALLS 


The  Chinook   Salmon 

There  is  no  other  species  of  fish  in  the  world  equalling  the 
chinook  salmon  in  commercial  value.  Of  the  5  species  of  salmon 
on  our  west  coast  it  is  approached  in  value  only  by  the  blue- 
back.  It  reaches  an  enormous  size;  examples  have  been  taken 
in  Cook  Inlet  weighing  100  pounds,  and  individuals  of  40  to  60 
pounds  weight  are  not  infrequent.  The  average  weight  of  those 
taken  in  the  Columbia  River  has  been  stated  to  be  22  pounds, 
and  for  those  of  the  Sacramento  River,  16  pounds. 

The  chinook  salmon  does  not  take  the  hook  when  in  fresh 
water,  though  it  is  occasionally  taken  on  the  trolling  spoon, 
particularly  in  the  lower  Columbia,  and  at  Williamette  Falls  and 
in  the  Sacramento  River.  In  Monterey  Bay  the  chinook  salmon 
is  an  important  game-fish  at  certain  seasons.  It  is  taken  ex- 
clusively, by  trolling.  The  best  season  is  from  the  middle  of 
May  to  the  end  of  June,  though  they  may  be  taken  as  early  as 
February,  and  rarely,  even  in  January.  The  anglers  usually  use 
a  3<>ply  line,  a  4-inch  hook,  a  3  to  5  pound  sinker,  and  let 
out  about  150  feet  of  line.  The  sinker  is  attached  by  24-ply 
line  20  feet  above  the  hook.  A  sailing  speed  of  about  4  miles 
an  hour,  with  the  hook  sunk  20  to  50  feet  beneath  the  surface 
(depending  upon  how  the  fish  are  running),  is  most  effective. 
The  best  time  of  day  is  from  sunrise  to  noon.  Trolling  spoons 
are  rarely  used,  a  hook  baited  with  common  sardine  being 
much  better.  The  fish  caught  range  in  weight  from  8  to  60 
pounds,  the  average  being  25  pounds.  The  fish  bite  freely,  but 
25  fish  by  one  line  is  regarded  as  a  big  day's  catch.  They  are 
very  game,  and  jump  out  of  the  water  frequently. 

This  splendid  salmon  is  unknown  in  Japan,  its  range  ex- 
tending little  south  of  Kamchatka  on  the  Asiatic  side. 

Head  4;  depth  4;  D.  1 1 ;  A.  16;  Br.  15  or  16  to  18  or  19,  the 
number  on  the  two  sides  always  unlike;  gillrakers  usually  9+14; 
pyloric  caeca  140  to  185;  scales  27-146-29,  the  number  in  longitudinal 
series  varying  from  135  to  155;  vertebrae  66.  Head  conic,  rather 
pointed  in  the  females  and  spring  males;  maxillary  rather  slender,  the 
small  eye  behind  its  middle;  teeth  small,  longer  on  sides  of  lower 
jaw;  vomerine  teeth  very  few  and  weak,  disappearing  in  the 
males;  body  comparatively  robust,  its  depth  greatest  near  its 
middle;  ventrals  inserted  behind  middle  of  dorsal;  ventral  appen- 
dage half  as  long  as  fin;  caudal  strongly  forked,  on  a  slender 
peduncle.  Colour,  dusky  above,  often  tinged  with  olivaceous  or 
bluish  on  sides;  silvery  below;  head  dark  slaty,  usually  darker 

153 


The  Silver  Salmon 

than  the  body,  and  with  few  spots;  back,  dorsal  fin  and  tail 
usually  profusely  covered  with  round  black  spots,  sometimes 
these  are  few,  but  never  wholly  absent;  sides  of  head  and  caudal 
fin  with  a  peculiar  metallic  tin-coloured  lustre;  flesh  rich  salmon- 
colour  in  spring,  becoming  paler  as  the  spawning  season  ap- 
proaches. In  the  late  summer  and  autumn  the  jaws  of  the  male 
become  elongate  and  distorted,  the  anterior  teeth  become  greatly 
enlarged,  and  the  colour  more  or  less  tinged  or  blotched  with 
dull  red. 

Silver  Salmon 

Oncorhynchus  kisutch  (Walbaum) 

The  silver  salmon  is  blessed  with  a  large  number  of  ver- 
nacular names,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  hoopid  salmon, 
coho;  kisutch,  skowitz;  quisutsch,  and  bielaya  ryba.  Next  to  the 
chinook  and  the  blueback  it  is  the  most  important  of  the  genus. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  15  inches,  and  a  weight  of  3  to  8 
pounds,  and  is  abundant  from  San  Francisco  northward  along 
both  the  American  and  Asiatic  coasts,  entering  the  shorter  coastal 
streams  late  in  the  fall.  It  occurs  in  Asiatic  waters  as  far  south 
as  Japan.  In  our  waters  it  is  especially  abundant  in  Puget  Sound, 
the  fjords  of  Alaska,  and  in  the  shorter  rivers  of  Washington 
and  Oregon. 

As  a  food-fish,  though  inferior  to  the  chinook  and  the  blue- 
back,  it  is  of  great  importance.  Large  quantities  are  canned 
every  year  on  the  Oregon  and  Washington  coasts;  it  is  one  of 
the  best  species  to  ship  fresh. 

Its  spawning  season  is  later  than  that  of  the  chinook.  They 
first  appear  in  the  southern  end  of  Puget  Sound  about  the  first 
of  September,  and  the  run  usually  lasts  until  the  first  or  middle 
of  November.  An  examination  of  more  than  2,000  examples  at 
Celilo  on  the  Columbia  River  in  September  and  October  indi- 
cated that  their  spawning  time  would  not  be  later  than  October. 
This  species  is  common  in  Japan. 

Head  4;  depth  4;  D.  10;  A.  13  or  14;  Br.  13  or  14;  pyloric 
coeca  very  large  and  few,  45  to  80;  scales  25-127-29;  gillrakers 
10+13,  rather  long  and  slender,  nearly  as  long  as  eye.  Body 
slender  and  compressed;  head  short,  shorter  than  in  chinook  of 
same  size,  very  conical,  the  snout  bluntly  pointed;  interorbital 
space  broad  and  strongly  convex;  opercle  and  preopercle  strongly 

154 


Blueback  Salmon ;   Sockeye  Salmon 

convex  behind,  the  preopercle  very  broad,  with  the  lower  limb 
little  developed;  eye  much  smaller  than  in  chinook  of  same  size; 
maxillary  slender  and  narrow,  but  extending  somewhat  beyond 
the  eye;  teeth  very  few  and  small,  only  2  or  3  on  the  vomer, 
those  on  tongue  very  feeble;  fins  small.  Colour,  bluish  green  on 
back,  the  sides  silvery,  with  dark  punctulations ;  no  spots  except 
a  few  rather  obscure  ones  on  top  of  head,  back,  dorsal  fin, 
adipose  fin,  and  the  rudimentary  upper  rays  of  the  caudal;  pec- 
torals dusky,  and  with  dusky  edge;  sides  of  head  without  dark 
colouration  as  seen  in  the  chinook;  males  mostly  red  in  fall,  and 
with  the  usual  changes  of  form. 

The  silver  salmon  is  easily  distinguished  from  the  chinook, 
which  it  most  resembles,  by  its  fewer  scales,  fewer  pyloric 
coeca,  and  fewer  branchiostegals. 

Blueback  Salmon  ;    Sockeye  Salmon 

Oncorhynchus  nerka  (Walbaum) 

The  blueback  salmon  is  found  from  the  coast  of  southern 
Oregon,  north  to  northern  Alaska  and  Kamchatka,  and  Japan. 
It  has  been  occasionally  reported  from  the  Sacramento  and  Kla- 
math  rivers,  but  is  not  at  all  common  south  of  the  Columbia. 
The  principal  rivers  in  the  United  States  which  it  frequents  are 
the  Columbia,  Quinialt  and  Skagit,  in  each  of  which  very  great 
runs  occur.  It  enters  the  Fraser  in  enormous  numbers,  and  is 
the  most  abundant  and  valuable  salmon  in  Alaska. 

The  runs  in  the  different  rivers  begin  at  different  times, 
depending  partly  upon  the  distance  of  the  spawning  beds  from 
the  sea,  and  the  temperature  of  the  water. 

The  run  in  the  Columbia  begins  in  March  or  April,  and  the 
fish  ascend  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Salmon  River  in  Idaho, 
which  they  reach  in  July  and  August,  a  journey  of  some  1,000 
miles  from  the  sea.  In  the  Skagit  the  run  begins  somewhat 
later,  the  fish  reaching  their  spawning  grounds  in  and  above 
Baker  Lake  in  August  and  September. 

The  run  in  the  Fraser  River  is  synchronous  with  that  in  the 
Skagit,  or  possibly  a  little  later.  In  Alaska  most  of  the  streams 
which  it  enters  are  relatively  short,  and  the  runs  do  not  begin 
until  a  short  time  before  the  spawning  period.  So  far  as  known 
the  blueback  enters  only  such  rivers  as  have  lakes  in  their  head- 


Blueback  Salmon ;   Sockeye  Salmon 

waters,  and  the  spawning  beds  are  always  either  in  the  inlets 
to  the  lakes  or  in  the  lakes  themselves;  so  far  as  known  there 
is  no  exception. 


Adult  Male  Blueback  Salmon 

In  the  Columbia  River  this  salmon  is  called  the  blueback; 
in  the  Fraser  it  is  the  sockeye,  sawkeye,  or  sau-qui;  in  Alaska  it 
is  the  red  salmon  or  redfish,  while  among  the  Russians  it  is 
the  krasnaya  ryba. 

In  certain  small  lakes  in  central  Idaho,  northeastern  Oregon, 
Washington  and  British  Columbia  are  found  2  forms  of  this 
salmon,  one  weighing  3  to  7  pounds,  and  known  as  the  redfish, 
the  other  10  to  12  inches  long,  and  weighing  one-half  pound. 
The  latter  is  known  as  the  little  redfish,  Kennedy's  salmon,  or 
walla. 

It  has  been  definitely  proved  that  the  large  redfish  come  up 
from  the  sea  and  are  identical  with  the  blueback  salmon.  The 
little  redfish  does  not  appear  to  differ  structurally  from  the  large 
redfish,  and  has  been  thought  to  be  the  young  of  that  species; 
if  it  is  not,  then  the  young  blueback  is  Unknown.  The  migra- 
tion from  the  sea  of  these  small  fish  has  not  been  observed, 
and  there  is  some  strong  evidence  showing  them  to  be  resident 
in  the  lakes  in  whose  inlets  they  have  their  spawning  beds. 


I56 


Blueback  Salmon ;   Sockeye    Salmon 


Adult   Female   Little  Redfish 

These  small  redfish  are  known  from  the  Redfish  Lakes  of 
Idaho,  Big  Payette  Lake  in  Idaho,  Wallowa  Lake  in  Oregon, 
Washington,  Sammamish,  and  Ozette  lakes  in  Washington,  and 
many  small  lakes  in  British  Columbia  and  Alaska. 

Next  to  the  chinook  salmon,  the  blueback  is  the  most  im- 
portant fish  on  our  west  coast,  while  in  Alaska  it  is  more  val- 
uable than  all  other  species  combined.  In  the  Fraser  River  it  is 
exceedingly  abundant,  and  is  extensively  canned  along  the  lower 
course  of  that  river,  and  about  the  northern  end  of  Puget  Sound. 
The  annual  catch  of  salmon  in  Puget  Sound  amounts  to  more 
than  $4,000,000,  and  consists  chiefly  of  bluebacks  and  chinooks. 

The  blueback  salmon  reaches  a  length  of  2  feet  and  a  weight 
of  3  to  7  pounds.  It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  graceful 
of  the  Salmonidce,  and  as  a  food-fish  is  scarcely  inferior  to  the 
chinook  salmon.  Its  flesh  is  of  attractive  colour,  rich  in  oil. 
and  of  superior  quality  when  canned. 

We  have  carefully  observed  the  spawning  habits  of  both 
forms  of  the  redfish  and  the  chinook  salmon  in  the  headwaters 
of  Salmon  River,  Idaho,  during  2  entire  seasons,  from  the  time 
the  fish  arrived  in  July  until  the  end  of  September,  by  which 
time  all  these  fish  had  disappeared.  A-  number  of  important 
questions  were  settled  by  these  investigations.  In  the  first  place, 
it  was  found  that  all  of  these  fish  arrived  upon  the  spawning- 
beds  in  perfect  physical  condition  so  far  as  external  appearance 
indicated,  no  sores,  bruises  or  other  mutilations  showing  on  any 
of  more  than  4,000  fish  examined.  During  the  spawning,  how- 


157 


Blueback  Salmon ;    Sockeye   Salmon 


Adult  Male  Little  Redfish,  showing  condition  at  end  of  spawning  season 

ever,  the  majority  became  more  or  less  injured  by  rubbing 
against  the  gravel  of  the  spawning-beds,  or  by  fighting  with  one 
another.  Soon  after  done  spawning  every  one  of  these  fish  died, 
not  only  both  forms  of  redfish,  but  the  chinook  salmon  as  well. 
There  was  no  tendency  to  run  down  stream,  but  they  all  died 
on  or  near  their  spawning-beds.  The  dying  is  not  due  to  the 
injuries  the  fish  receive  while  on  the  spawning-grounds;  many 
were  seen  dying  or  dead  which  showed  no  external  or  other 
injuries  whatever. 

The  dying  of  the  West  Coast  salmon  is  in  no  manner  de- 
termined by  distance  from  the  sea.  Observations  made  by  us 
and  others  elsewhere  show  that  the  individuals  of  all  the  species 
of  Oncorhynchus  die  after  once  spawning,  whether  the  spawn- 
ing-beds be  remote  from  the  sea  or  only  a  short  distance  from 
salt  water.  The  cause  of  the  dying  is  deep-seated  in  its  nature 
and  general  in  its  application.  The  cause  is  the  same  as  that 
which  compasses  the  death  of  the  ephemera  or  may-fly  after  an 
existence  of  but  a  few  hours,  or  of  the  corn-plant  or  melon- 
vine  and  all  annual  plants  at  the  end  of  one  season. 

This  species,  known  locally  as  benimasu  or  red  salmon,  is 
landlocked  in  a  few  lakes  (Akan,  etc.)  in  Nemuro,  in  northern 
Japan,  but  it  is  rare  on  the  Asiatic  side  south  of  Kamchatka. 

Head  4;  depth  4;  D.  n;  A.  14  to  16;  scales  20-133-20; 
Br.  13  to  15;  gillrakers  32  to  40,  usually  14  or  15+22  or  23, 
as  long  as  eye;  pyloric  coeca  75  to  95;  vertebrae  64;  snout  2\  in 
head  in  fall  males,  3|-  in  females;  mandible  i^-  in  head  in  fall  males, 
if  in  females.  Body  long,  elliptical,  rather  slender;  head  short, 
snout  long,  pointed,  sharply  conic,  the  lower  jaw  included;  maxil- 

158 


The  Salmon   and  Trout 

lary  rather  thin  and  small,  reaching  beyond  eye;  teeth  all  quite 
small,  most  of  them  freely  movable;  vomer  with  about  6  weak 
teeth  which  grow  larger  in  spawning  males;  preopercle  very  wide 
and  convex;  opercle  very  short,  not  strongly  convex;  preopercle 
more  free  behind  than  in  the  chinook  salmon;  ventral  scale 
about  I  length  of  fin;  caudal  fin  narrow,  widely  forked;  anal  fin 
long  and  low;  dorsal  low;  flesh  deep  red;  males  becoming  extra- 
vagantly hook-jawed  in  the  fall,  the  snout  being  then  much  pro- 
longed and  much  raised  above  the  level  of  rest  of  head,  the  lower 
jaw  produced  to  meet  it.  Colour,  clear  bright  blue  above;  side 
silvery,  this  overlapping  the  blue  of  the  back;  lower  fins  pale, 
the  upper  dusky;  no  spots  anywhere  on  adults  in  spring;  the 
young  with  obscure  black  spots  above.  Colour  of  breeding 
male,  dark  blood  red  on  back  and  sides,  with  dark  edges  to 
some  of  the  scales;  middle  of  side  darker  red,  but  unevenly  so, 
usually  darkest  at  middle  of  body;  under  parts  dirty  white,  with 
numerous  fine  dark  dustings;  entire  head  light  olive,  tip  of  nose 
and  sides  of  jaws  dark;  under  part  of  lower  jaw  white;  dorsal 
fin  pale  red,  anal  darker  red;  adipose  fin  red;  ventrals  and  pec- 
torals smoky,  somewhat  red  at  base.  Colour  of  breeding  female, 
essentially  the  same,  but  rather  darker  on  the  sides. 

The  small  form  of  redfish  is  a  rich  metallic  blue  on  the 
back,  becoming  silvery  on  the  lower  sides  and  under  parts; 
back  with  a  few  small  black  spots.  During  the  breeding  season 
it  becomes  a  dirty  red,  brightest  on  the  middle  of  the  sides; 
under  parts  dirty  white; 'top  and  sides  of  head  dark  greenish  olive; 
snout  black;  lower  jaw  white,  black  at  tip;  dorsal  pale  red;  anal 
dirty  red;  other  fins  dark  smoky.  The  female  is  darker  than  the 
male  and  not  greatly  different  in  colour  from  the  black-speckled 
trout. 


Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  mouth  large;  jaws, 
palatines,  and  tongue  toothed,  as  in  related  genera;  vomer  flat, 
its  shaft  not  depressed,  a  few  teeth  on  the  chevron  behind  which 
is  a  somewhat  irregular  single  or  double  series  of  teeth,  which  in 
the  migratory  species  are  usually  deciduous  with  age;  scales  large 
or  small,  100  to  200  in  a  longitudinal  series;  dorsal  and  anal  fins 
short,  usually  with  10  to  12  rays  each;  caudal  fin  truncate,  emar- 
ginate  or  forked,  its  peduncle  comparatively  stout;  sexual  pecu- 
liarities variously  developed,  the  males  in  typical  species  with  the 

159 


The    Salmon   and   Trout 

jaws  prolonged  and  the  front  teeth  enlarged,  the  lower  jaw  being 
hooked  upward  and  the  upper  jaw  emarginate  or  perforate;  these 
peculiarities  most  marked  in  the  larger  and  migratory  species. 

The  species  of  this  genus  are  of  moderate  or  large  size,  black- 
spotted,  and  abounding  in  the  colder  creeks,  rivers  and  lakes  of 
North  America,  Europe,  and  Asia;  no  purely  freshwater  species 
occurring  in  America  east  of  the  Great  Plains;  3  Atlantic  Coast 
species,  one  marine  and  anadromous. 

The  non-migratory  species  (sub-genus  Trulta)  occur  in  both 
continents,  are  extremely  closely  related  and  difficult  to  distinguish, 
if,  indeed,  all  be  not  necessarily  regarded  as  forms  of  a  single 
exceedingly  unstable,  and  variable  species.  The  excessive  varia- 
tions in  colour  and  form  have  given  rise  to  a  host  of  nominal 
species. 

European  writers  have  described  numerous  hybrids  among; 
the  various  species  of  Salmo,  real  or  nominal,  found  in  their 
waters.  We  have  thus  far  failed  to  find  the  slightest  evidence  of 
any  hybridism  among  American  Salmonidce  in  a  state  of  nature. 
Puzzling  aberrant  or  intermediate  individuals  certainly  occur,  but 
such  are  not  necessarily  "hybrids." 

The  following  interesting  and  pertinent  observations  on  the 
species  of  trout  are  taken,  with  some  modification,  from  Dr. 
Giinther: 

There  is  no  other  group  of  fishes  which  offers  so  many  diffi- 
culties to  the  ichthyologist,  with  regard  to  the  distinction  of  the 
species,  as  well  as  to  certain  points  in  their  life  history,  as  this 
genus.  The  almost  infinite  variations  of  these  fishes  are  dependent 
on  age,  sex  and  sexual  development,  food,  and  the  properties  of 
the  water.  The  colouration  is,  first  of  all,  subject  to  great  varia- 
tion, and  consequently  this  character  but  rarely  assists  in  distin- 
guishing a  species,  there  being  not  one  which  would  show  in  all 
stages  the  same  kind  of  colouration.  The  young  in  all  the  species 
of  the  genus  are  barred,  and  this  is  so  constantly  the  case  that  it 
may  be  used  as  a  family  character.  When  the  young  have  passed 
this  "parr"  stage  the  colour  becomes  much  diversified.  The 
males,  especially  during  and  immediately  after  the  spawning  sea- 
son, are  more  intensely  coloured  and  variegated  than  the  females, 
immature  individuals  retaining  a  brighter  silvery  colour  and  being 
more  like  the  female.  Fqod  appears  to  have  less  influence  on  the 

160 


The  Salmon   and    Trout 

colour  of  the  outer  parts  than  on  that  of  the  flesh;  thus  the  more 
variegated  examples  are  frequently  out  of  condition,  whilst  well- 
fed  individuals,  with  pinkish  flesh,  are  of  more  uniform  though 
bright  colours. 

The  water  has  a  marked  influence  on  the  colours.  Trout  with 
intense  ocellated  spots  are  generally  found  in  clear,  rapid  rivers 
and  in  alpine  pools;  in  the  large  lakes,  with  pebbly  bottom,  the  fish 
are  bright  silvery,  and  the  ocellated  spots  are  mixed  with  or  replaced 
by  x-shaped  black  spots;  in  dark  holes,  or  lakes  with  peaty  bottom, 
they  often  assume  an  almost  uniform  blackish  colouration. 

Brackish  or  salt  water  has  the  effect  of  giving  them  a  bright 
silvery  coat,  with  or  without  few  spots,  none  of  them  ocellated. 

With  regard  to  size,  the  various  species  do  not  present  an  equal 
amount  of  variation.  Size  appears  to  depend  upon  the  abundance  of 
food  and  the  extent  of  the  water.  Thus  the  migratory  species  do  not 
appear  to  vary  considerably  in  size,  because  they  find  the  same  condi- 
tions in  all  the  localities  inhabited  by  them.  A  widely-spread  species, 
however,  like  our  black-spotted  trout,  when  it  inhabits  a  small 
mountain  pool,  with  scanty  food,  never  attains  a  weight  of  more  than  a 
few  ounces,  while  in  a  large  lake  or  river,  where  it  finds  an  abundance 
of  food,  it  reaches  a  weight  of  10  to  15  pounds.  Such  large  trout 
of  the  rivers  and  lakes  are  frequently  described  as  salmon  trout, 
bull  trout,  silver  trout,  steelheads,  etc. 

The  proportions  of  the  various  parts  of  the  body  to  one  another 
vary  exceedingly,  in  the  same  species,  with  age,  sex,  and  condition. 
The  fins  vary  to  a  certain  degree.  The  variation  in  the  number  of 
rays  in  any  one  genus  (except  Oncorhynchus)  is  inconsiderable  and 
of  no  value  for  specific  determination.  Although  some  species  appear 
to  be  characterized  by  comparatively  low  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  yet 
the  proportion  of  the  height  of  these  fins  to  their  length  is  a  rather 
uncertain  character.  In  most  of  the  species  the  fin-rays  are  longer 
during  the  stages  of  growth  or  development.  The  caudal  fin 
especially  undergoes  changes  with  age.  The  young  of  all  species 
have  this  fin  more  or  less  deeply  incised,  so  that  the  young  of  a 
species  which  has  this  fin  emarginate  throughout  life  is  distinguished 
by  a  deeper  incision  of  the  fin  from  the  young  of  a  species  which 
has  it  truncate  in  a  young  state.  The  individuals  of  the  same 
species  do  not  all  attain  maturity  at  the  same  age  or  size.  Finally, 
to  complete  our  enumeration  of  these  variable  characters,  we  must 
mention  that,  in  old  males,  during  and  after  the  spawning  season, 

161 


The  Salmon  and  Trout 

the  skin  on  the  back  becomes  thickened  and  spongy,  so  that  the 
scales  are  quite  invisible  or  hidden  in  the  skin. 

After  this  cursory  review  of  variable  characters,  we  pass  on  to 
those  which  we  have  found  to  be  constant  in  numbers  of  individuals, 
and  in  which  it  is  difficult  to  perceive  signs  of  modification  due 
*o  external  circumstances. 

Such  characters,  according  to  the  views  of  the  zoologists  of 
the  present  day,  are  sufficient  for  the  definition  of  species;  at  all 
events,  in  every  description  they  ought  to  be  noticed.  The  confused 
and  unsatisfactory  state  of  our  knowledge  of  the  Salmonidce  is 
chiefly  caused  by  authors  having  paid  attention  to  the  more  con- 
spicuous but  unreliable  characters  and  who  have  but  rarely  noted 
any  of  those  enumerated  here  : 

1.  The  form   of  the  preopercle  in  the   adult  fish. 

2.  The   width    and    strength   of  the    maxillary   in    the    adult;    in 

the  young  and  in  females  the  maxillary  is  proportionately 
shorter  than  in  the  adult  male. 

3.  The  size  of  the  teeth,  those  of  the  premaxillaries  excepted. 

4.  The   arrangement   and   permanence   of  the   vomerine  teeth. 

5.  The  development  or  absence  of  teeth   on    the    hyoid  bone.     In 

old  examples  these  are  often  lost,  and  their  absence  in  a  species 
usually  provided  with  them  is  not  uncommon. 

6.  The  form  of  the  caudal  fin  in  specimens  of  a  given  size,  age  or 

sexual  development. 

7.  The  size  of  the  scales  as  indicated  by  counting  the  number  of 

transverse  rows  above  the  lateral  line.  The  scales  in  the  lateral 
line  are  always  more  or  less  enlarged  or  irregular,  and  the 
number  of  scales  should  be  counted  higher  up;  this  is  one 
of  the  most  constant  and  valuable  specific  characters. 

8.  A  great  development  of  the   pectoral  fins,    when   constant   in 

a  number  of  specimens   from   the  same  locality. 

9.  The   number  of  vertebrae. 

10.  The  number  of  pyloric   creca. 

11.  The   number   of  gillrakers. 

a.  Vomerine  teeth  little  developed,  those  on  the  shaft  of  the   bone 

few  and  deciduous;  sexual  differences  strong;  breeding  males 
with  the  lower  jaw  hooked  upward,  the  upper  jaw  emarginate 

or  perforate  to  receive  its  tip,  size  large; salar,   163 

aa.  Vomerine  teeth  well  developed,  those  on  the  shaft  of  the  bone 
numerous  and  peristent;  sexual  difference  less  marked,  but 
similar  in  general  character  to  those  in  Salmo  salar. 

b.  Scales  always  small,  150  to  200  cross-series;    a  large  deep  red  or 

scarlet  dash  on  each  side  concealed  below  the  inner  edge  of  the 
dentary  bone,  this  rarely  obsolete;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary 

162 


Common  Atlantic  Salmon 

if  to  2\  in  head;    hyoid  teeth  usually  present  but  very  small. 
Size  various ; clarhii,   1 76 

bb.  Scales  moderate,  130  to  180  cross-series;  no  red  on  throat;  a  red- 
dish lateral  band  usually  present;  mouth  moderate,  maxillary  2 
in  head;  hyoid  teeth  wanting.  Size  very  large ;..gairdneri,  190 

bbb.  Scales  typically  large,  in  120  to  130  cross-series;  usually  no  red 
on  throat;  a  red  or  yellowish  lateral  band;  mouth  small,  maxil- 
lary 2  to  2\  in  head;  no  hyoid  teeth.  Size  moderate; 

irideus,   198 

Common  Atlantic  Salmon 

Salmo  salar  Linnaeus 

The  Atlantic  salmon  is  perhaps  the  best  and  most  widely 
known  of  all  game  fishes,  and  it  was  doubtless  this  fish  which 
was  sought  by  the  earliest  anglers.  "  In  Aquitania  the  river 
salmon  surpasseth  all  the  fishes  of  the  sea,"  wrote  Pliny  eighteen 
hundred  years  ago.  This  was  the  salmon's  christening,  and 
though  more  than  100  species  of  Salmonidce  have  been  de- 
scribed, the  salmon  has  always  stood  pre-eminent  as  a  game- 
fish,  like  a  Scottish  chieftain,  needing  no  other  name  than  that 
of  his  clan.  The  luxurious  Romans  prized  highly  the  salmon 
streams  in  their  Gallic  and  British  provinces,  if  we  may  trust 
Pliny  and  Ausonius,  and  that  this  fish  was  well  known  to  the 
early  English  is  evinced  by  the  many  Saxon  names,  such  as 
"parr,"  "pearl,"  "smolt,"  "grilse,"  "kipper,"  and  "baggit," 
given  it  in  different  stages  of  its  growth.  The  Normans  brought 
over  the  name  of  Latin  origin,  which  they  applied  to  the  per- 
fect adult  fish,  ready  for  the  banquets  of  the  conqueror.  When 
Cabot  discovered  Newfoundland  in  1497,  he  found  salmon  in  its 
waters,  but  the  red  men  had  long  before  this  learned  the  art  of 
killing  them  with  torches  and  wooden  spears. 

Salmon  inhabit  both  coasts  of  the  North  Atlantic  and  all  its 
suitable  affluents.  How  far  beyond  the  Arctic  circle  they  range 
no  one  knows,  though  their  occurrence  in  Greenland,  Iceland, 
northern  Scandinavia,  and  middle  Labrador  is  well  established. 
They  occur  in  Norway,  Sweden,  Denmark,  entering  the  Baltic 
and  the  waters  of  Russia,  and,  according  to  some  writers,  the 
White  Sea.  They  abound  in  all  the  British  Islands,  where  they 
are  protected  and  fostered  with  great  success.  They  are,  or 

163 


Common    Atlantic    Salmon 

were,  also  common  in  France,  Belgium,  Holland,  and  Prussia,  as- 
cending the  Rhine  as  far  as  Basle.  The  southern  limit  of  their 
distribution  in  Europe  is  Galicia,  the  northwestern  province  of 
Spain,  in  latitude  43°.  "There  is  a  river  in  Macedon,"  says 
Fluellen,  in  "King  Henry  the  Fifth,"  "and  there  is  also  moreover 
a  river  at  Monmouth:  it  is  called  Wye,  at  Monmouth;  but  it  is 
out  of  my  brains  what  is  the  name  of  the  other  river;  but  'tis 
all  one,  'tis  so  like  as  my  fingers  is  to  my  fingers,  and  there  is 
salmons  in  both."  But  Fluellen  was  wrong,  for  there  are  no 
salmon  in  any  part  of  the  Mediterranean  water  system. 

On  the  American  side  of  the  Atlantic,  the  presence  of  salmon 
in  Hudson  Bay  and  on  the  Arctic  coast  is  not  certain.  They  range 
far  north  on  the  Labrador  coast,  and  in  the  waters  of  the  Great 
Lakes  system  they  ascended  as  far  as  Niagara  Falls.  Nova  Scotia, 
New  Brunswick,  and  Maine  have  many  salmon  rivers.  New 
Hampshire,  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  a  very  few  good  ones. 

The  salmon  was  at  one  time  very  abundant  in  the  Connec- 
ticut, and  it  probably  occurred  in  the  Housatonic  and  Hudson. 
They  have  also  been  taken  in  the  Delaware  which  probably 
marks  the  southern  limit  of  their  distribution  on  our  Atlantic 
Coast. 

Salmon  were  marvellously  abundant  in  Colonial  days.  It  is 
stated  that  the  epicurean  apprentices  of  Connecticut  would  eat 
salmon  no  oftener  than  twice  a  week.  "Plenty  of  them  in  this 
country,"  wrote  Fuller,  "though  not  in  such  abundance  as  in 
Scotland  where  servants  (they  say)  indent  with  their  masters  not 
to  be  fed  therewith  above  twice  a  week."  There  can  be  no 
doubt  that  one  .  hundred  years  ago  salmon  fishing  was  an  im- 
portant food  resource  in  southern  New  England.  Many  Connec- 
ticut people  remember  hearing  their  grandfathers  say  that  when 
they  went  to  the  river  to  buy  shad  the  fishermen  used  to  sti- 
pulate that  they  should  also  buy  a  specified  number  of  salmon. 
But  at  the  beginning  of  this  century  they  began  rapidly  to  dimin- 
ish. Mitchill  stated,  in  1814,  that  in  former  days  the  supply  to 
the  New  York  market  usually  came  from  the  Connecticut,  but  of 
late  years  from  the  Kennebec,  covered  with  ice.  Rev.  David 
Dudley  Field,  writing  in  1819,  states  that  salmon  had  scarcely 
been  seen  in  the  Connecticut  for  15  or  20  years.  The  circum- 
stances of  their  extermination  in  the  Connecticut  are  well  known, 


164 


Common  Atlantic  Salmon 

and  the  same  story,  with  names  and  dates  changed,  serves 
equally  well  for  other  rivers. 

In  1798  a  corporation,  known  as  the  "Upper  Locks  and 
Canal  Company,"  built  a  dam  16  feet  high  at  Millers  River,  100 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Connecticut.  For  2  or  3  years 
fish  were  seen  in  great  abundance  below  the  dam,  and  for  per- 
haps 10  years  they  continued  to  appear,  vainly  striving  to  reach 
their  spawning  grounds;  but  soon  the  work  of  extermination  was 
complete.  When,  in  1872,  a  solitary  salmon  made  its  appearance, 
the  Saybrook  fishermen  did  not  know  what  it  was. 

At  least  half  of  the  salmon's  life  is  spent  in  the  ocean.  "  He 
is  ever  bred  in  fresh  rivers,"  said  Isaac  Walton,  "and  never  grows 
big  but  in  the  sea."  "He  has,  like  some  persons  of  honour 
and  riches  which  have  both  their  winter  and  summer  houses, 
this  fresh  water  for  summer  and  the  salt  water  for  winter  to 
spend  his  life  in."  Most  of  his  tribe,  however,  are  peculiarly 
fresh-water  fishes,  though  several  share  his  sea-dwelling  habits,  and 
others,  like  the  brook  trout,  descend  into  salt  water  when  not 
prevented  by  temperature  barriers.  All  of  the  family  run  into 
very  shoal  water,  and  usually  to  the  source  of  streams,  for 
spawning  purposes.  "  I  am  inclined  to  the  view,"  writes  Dr. 
Goode,  "that  the  natural  habitat  of  the  salmon  is  in  the  fresh 
waters,  the  more  so  since  there  are  so  many  instances — such  as 
that  of  the  Stormontfield  Ponds  in  England — where  it  has  been 
confined  for  years  in  lakes  without  apparent  detriment."  That 
the  chinook  salmon  has  been  kept  for  years  in  fresh  water  ponds 
in  France  is  another  strong  evidence  of  the  correctness  of  this 
view.  The  Sebago  salmon  of  the  New  England  lakes,  and  the 
ouananiche  of  Canada  never  visit  salt  water,  finding  ample  food 
and  exercise  in  'the  fresh  waters  which  they  inhabit. 

Salmon  while  in  salt  or  brackish  water  feed  on  small 
shrimps,  young  crabs,  and  other  crustaceans  and  their  eggs. 
When  in  the  rivers  they  are  supposed  to  eat  but  little,  though 
they  will  make  voracious  rushes  at  the  angler's  fly. 

Dr.  W.  C.  Kendall  of  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission  has  made 
a  special  study  of  the  Atlantic  Salmon  and  the  Sebago  salmon, 
and  furnishes  us  the  following  regarding  their  habits: 

The  assumption  that  salmon  do  not  feed  after  entering  fresh 
water  is  founded  upon  the  fact  that  seldom  is  anything  found  in 
their  stomachs  when  caught  in  traps  or  by  hooks.  In  traps  and 

165 


Common  Atlantic  Salmon 

weirs  it  is  the  habit  of  most  fishes  either  to  disgorge  the  food 
from  fright  or,  if  not  immediately  removed,  to  digest  it.  Most 
fishes,  and  salmon  ought  not  to  be  an  exception,  take  the  hook 
presumably  because  they  are  hungry,  and  except  in  the  case  of 
some  gluttonous  species,  not  when  gorged  with  food.  It  seems 
more  reasonable  to  believe,  and  all  the  evidence  is  in  support  of 
it,  that  the  fish  do  feed  in  the  early  runs,  and  that  they  enter 
the  rivers  for  that  purpose.  It  is  hardly  credible  that  salmon 
would  leave  regions  of  abundant  food,  at  a  time  when  there 
are  no  other  physiological  demands,  fast  for  at  least  6  months, 
reproduce,  survive  and  return  to  another  period  of  feasting.  It 
is  also  hard  to  conceive  that  the  fish  takes  the  lure  to  gratify  the 
angler  or  just  for  the  fun  of  the  thing. 

The  belief  has  become  almost  proverbial,  and  is  perpetuated 
in  fish  literature,  that  the  early  summer  salmon  after  entering  the 
rivers  remain  there  until  the  spawning  function  is  performed.  It 
is  well  known  that  in  some  of  the  smaller  streams  there  are  2 
distinct  runs,  spring  and  fall;  the  first,  for  some  unrecognized 
purpose,  the  other  for  reproduction.  In  Denny's  River,  Maine, 
for  example,  according  to  a  reliable  observer  of  long  residence  in 
the  region,  the  early  migrations  extend  from  May  15  to  July  30 
or  thereabouts,  and  the  other  from  October  i  until  November. 
The  first  run  does  not  remain  in  the  river.  What  obtains  in 
small  streams  ought  to  hold  good  in  large  ones. 

The  closely  related  landlocked  salmon  in  Sebago  Lake  pur- 
sues the  smelts  up  the  tributary  streams  as  they  are  on  thejr  way 
to  the  spawning  grounds  in  the  spring,  and  descends  with  the 
return  of  the  smelts  to  the  lake.  The  fish  then  bite  the  hook. 
In  the  fall  there  is  another  ascent  of  the  streams  for  spawning 
purposes,  and  the  fish  will  very  seldom  if  ever  take  the  hook 
at  that  time.  The  first  run  is  evidently  for  the  purpose  of 
feeding  upon  the  smelts,  and,  as  the  early  spring  run  of  Atlantic 
salmon  is  known  to  accompany  the  run  of  smelts  and  other 
species,  it  would  seem  to  be  for  the  same  purpose.  We  believe 
the  spring  run  of  the  Atlantic  salmon  is  a  quest  for  food,  and 
that  the  fish  return  to  salt  water  to  again  ascend  the  streams 
late  in  the  fall  for  spawning  purposes. 

Though  salmon  enter  the  rivers  in  the  spring  when  the 
temperature  of  the  water  is  rising,  their  spawning  takes  place 
on  a  falling  temperature,  and  usually  not  until  the  water  has 

166 


Common  Atlantic  Salmon 

cooled  down  to  about  50°  Fahr.  In  America  the  more  southern 
rivers  are  the  first  to  be  entered,  and  the  most  northern  ones 
last,  the  range  being  from  April  and  May  in  the  Connecticut,  to 
even  as  late  as  October  in  the  Miramichi. 

Ordinarily  the  salmon  will  go  well  toward  the  headwaters  of 
the  streams  to  establish  spawning  beds.  As  the  spawning  season 
approaches  they  lose  their  trim  appearance  and  their  bright 
colours.  They  grow  lank  and  misshapen,  the  fins  become  thick 
and  fleshy,  and  the  skin,  which  becomes  thick  and  slimy,  is 
blotched  and  mottled  with  brown,  green  or  blue,  and  vermillion 
or  scarlet.  These  changes  are  most  apparent  in  the  males, 
whose  jaws  become  curved  so  that  they  touch  only  at  the  tips, 
the  lower  one  developing  a  large  powerful  hook.  When  in  this 
condition,  and  after  spawning,  while  returning  to  the  sea  they 
are  called  "  kelts." 

While  the  eggs  are  laid  late  in  the  fall,  they  do  not  hatch 
until  early  the  next  spring.  When  the  fry  are  2  or  3  months  old 
they  begin  to  show  the  vermillion  spots  and  transverse  bars 
called  parr-marks,  which  entitle  the  fish  to  be  called  a  "parr," 
and  which  it  retains  while  remaining  in  fresh  water,  and 
sometimes  until  7  or  8  inches  long.  It  remains  a  parr  until  the 
second  or  third  spring,  when  it  descends  to  the  sea,  assuming 
at  the  time  a  uniform  bright  silvery  colour,  and  the  "parr" 
becomes  a  "smolt."  After  remaining  a  time  in  salt  water,  the 
time  varying  from  a  few  months  to  2  years,  it  returns  to  fresh 
water  either  as  a  "grilse"  or  "salmon."  The  "grilse"  is  the 
adolescent  salmon,  weighing  2  to  6  pounds,  and  is  even  more 
graceful  than  the  adult  fish.  "There  is  nothing  in  the  water 
that  surpasses  a  grilse  in  its  symmetrical  beauty,  its  brilliancy, 
its  agility,  and  its  pluck,"  wrote  Thaddeus  Norris.  "I  have  had 
one  of  4  pounds  to  leap  from  the  water  10  times,  and  higher 
and  farther  than  a  salmon.  Woe  to  the  angler  who  attempts, 
without  giving  line,  to  hold  one  even  of  j  pounds;  he  does  it  at 
the  risk  of  his  casting  line,  or  his  agile  opponent  tears  a  piece 
from  its  jaw  or  snout  in  its  desperate  efforts  to  escape." 

Quoting  again  from  Dr.  Goode,  who  can  wonder  at  the 
angler's  enthusiasm  over  "a  salmon  fresh  run  in  love  and  glory 
from  the  sea?"  Hear  Christopher  North's  praise  of  a  perfect  fish: 
"She  has  literally  no  head;  but  her  snout  is  in  her  shoulders. 
That  is  the  beauty  of  a  fish;  high  and  round  shoulders,  short 

167 


The  Sebago   Salmon 

waisted,  no  loins,  but  all  body,  and  not  long  of  terminating — 
the  shorter  still  the  better — in  a  tail  sharp  and  pointed  as  Diana's 
when  she  is  crescent  in  the  sky." 

The  salmon  reaches  an  immense  size.  The  largest  of  which 
we  have  seen  a  record  was  one  of  83  pounds,  brought  to  Lon- 
don in  1821.  Perley  mentions  one  of  60  pounds  taken  long  ago 
in  the  Restigouche.  In  the  Penobscot  examples  of  40  pounds 
have  been  taken,  though  that  weight  is  very  unusual.  The 
maximum  weight  of  those  taken  in  Maine  rivers  now  does  not 
exceed  25  pounds,  and  the  average  is  about  10  pounds. 

The  catch  of  salmon  by  anglers  in  the  Penobscot  Pool  at 
Bangor  in  1893  was  87  fish,  with  a  total  weight  of  1,477-2-  pounds. 
The  largest  weighed  30  pounds,  and  the  average  was  nearly  17 
pounds.  The  catch  in  1900  was  67  fish,  with  a  total  weight  of 
970  pounds.  The  largest  weighed  23^  pounds,  and  the  average 
was  nearly  14^  pounds. 

Head  4;  depth  4;  Br.  n;  D.  n;  A.  9;  scales  23-120-21;  ver- 
tebrse  60;  pyloric  coeca  about  65;  gillrakers  8  +  12=20.  Body 
moderately  elongate,  symmetrical,  not  much  compressed;  head 
rather  low;  mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  reaching  just  past  the 
eye;  in  young  the  maxillary  is  proportionately  shorter;  preopercle 
with  a  distinct  lower  limb,  the  angle  rounded;  scales  compara- 
tively large,  rather  larger  posteriorly,  silvery  and  well  imbricated 
in  the  young,  becoming  embedded  in  the  adult  males.  Colour,  in 
adult,  brownish  above,  the  sides  more  or  less  silvery,  with  numer- 
ous black  spots  on  head,  body  and  fins,  and  red  spots  or 
patches  on  sides  in  males;  the  "parr"  with  about  n  dusky  or 
bluish  crossbars,  besides  red  patches  and  black  spots;  the  colour, 
as  well  as  the  form  of  the  head  and  body  varying  much  with 
age,  food  and  condition;  the  black  spots  in  the  adult  often 
X-shaped  or  XX-shaped. 

In  the  lakes  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  New  Brunswick 
and  in  Lake  St.  John,  the  Saguenay  and  neigbouring  waters  in 
Quebec,  the  salmon  is  represented  by  2  land-locked  forms,  one 
in  each  region,  which  are  here  recognized  as  species. 

Sebago  Salmon 

Salmo  sebago  (Girard) 

The  sebago  salmon  receives  this  name  from  Sebago  Lake,  the 
locality  from  which  it  was  first  described.  It  originally  occurred  in 

168 


The  Sebago  Salmon 

4  river  basins  in  Maine  and  perhaps  in  a  few  lakes   in   the   British 
Provinces. 

In  Maine  the  original  habitats  were  Presumpscot  River  or 
Sebago  Lake  basin,  Union  River  or  Reeds  Pond  (now  known  as 
Green  Lake)  basin,  Sebec  Lake  basin  and  St.  Croix  River  basin 
which  includes  the  Schoodic  Lakes  from  which  the  fish  derives 
also  the  name  of  "Schoodic  salmon";  but  it  is  more  commonly 
called  landlocked  salmon. 

By  fish-cultural  operations  it  has  become  pretty  widely  dis- 
tributed, especially  in  New  England  and  in  New  York. 

As  a  rule  it  differs  from  the  sea  salmon  in  the  smaller  size,  rather 
plumper  form,  much  harder  skull-bones,  larger  scales  and 
different  colouration. 

The  Sebago  Lake  salmon  originally  attained  the  largest  size, 
the  Green  Lake  next,  followed  by  the  Sebec  Lake,  those  of  Grand 
Lake  of  the  Western  Schoodic  Chain  being  the  smallest. 

This  condition  obtains  in  part  to  the  present  day.  At  least  the 
Sebago  Salmon  are  the  largest  and  the  Grand  Lake  salmon  the 
smallest  of  the  4  original  regions.  Though  the  stocks  of  Sebec, 
Sebago  and  Green  lakes  have  been  perhaps,  adulterated  by  introduc- 
tion of  salmon  from  other  waters,  that  of  Grand  Lake  has  been 
maintained  in  its  primal  integrity. 

The  salmon  of  Grand  Lake  seldom  exceed  a  weight  of  5  pounds 
or  average  more  than  2  pounds. 

In  the  fall  of  1901,  among  many  salmon  taken  in  the  weir  at 
Sebago  Lake,  for  fish-cultural  purposes,  were  one  of  21,  many  of  15 
pounds  and  over,  and  the  average  was  about  10  pounds. 

The  habits  of  the  fish  are  apparently  almost  in  every  particular 
analogous  to  those  of  the  sea  salmon,  modified  more  or  less  by 
physical  conditions.  In  Sebago  Lake,  in  the  fall,  structural  and 
chromatic  changes  occur,  and  it  ascends  tributary  streams  to  spawn. 
After  this  function  is  performed  it  returns  to  the  lake,  which  is  its 
ocean,  and  resorts  to  deep  water. 

In  the  spring,  as  soon  as  the  ice  breaks  up,  when  smelts,  upon 
which  it  extensively  feeds,  are  running  up  the  streams  to  spawn, 
the  salmon  follow  them  to  the  shore  and  up  the  larger  streams  and 
descend  with  them.  During  summer  they  remain  in  deep  water, 
though  they  occasionally  appear  at  the  surface  coincidently  with  the 
surface  schooling  of  smelts. 


169 


The    Ouananiche 

As  a  game-fish  it  ranks  high  but  is  reputed  to  be  inferior  to  the 
ouananiche  of  the  Grand  Decharge. 

In  lakes  it  undoubtedly  possesses  these  qualities  to  a  less  degree 
than  the  ouananiche  of  the  turbulent  waters  of  the  Grand  Decharge. 
But  this  is  not  due  to  inherent  inactivity  but  to  external  conditions. 

Rushing  waters,  single  hook  and  light  tackle  are  £  of  the  game 
qualities  of  any  fish. 

The  customary  angling  appliances  on  Sebago  Lake  are  a  stiff 
rod,  a  derrick-like  reel,  a  phantom  minnow,  archer  spinner  or 
murderous  gang,  all  of  which,  combined  with  the  quiet  lake  or 
still  waters  of  Songo  River,  disincline  the  fish  to  prolonged 
antagonism.  But  let  the  angler  use  a  light  rod,  single  baited 
hook  or  artificial  fly  in  the  quick  waters  of  the  Presumpscot 
River  or  Grand  Lake  stream,  and  he  will  find  at  least  an 
epitome  of  the  Grand  D6charge. 

Ouananiche 

Salmo  ouananiche  McCarthy 

The  ouananiche  is  another  land-locked  relative  of  the  Atlantic 
salmon.  While  best  known  as  an  inhabitant  of  the  Lake  St. 
John  region,  Mr.  Chambers  presents  evidence  showing  it  to 
have  a  much  wider  distribution  than  has  been  generally  assigned 
to  it.  He  reports  it  from  Arnold  Bog,  and  in  the  lakes  of  the 
Goynish,  which  enters  the  St.  Lawrence  north  of  the  island  of 
Anticosti.  It  is  also  said  to  occur  in  many  streams  and  lakes 
in  the  interior  of  Labrador. 

Though  in  most,  perhaps  all  of  these  waters  the  ouananiche 
would,  if  it  so  desired,  have  free  access  to  the  sea,  it  appar- 
ently does  not  avail  itself  of  that  possibility,  and  is  therefore 
land-locked  so  far  as  all  questions  of  geographic  distribution  are 
concerned. 

The  name  "ouananiche"  is  of  Montagnais  Indian  derivation, 
and  is  popularly  supposed  to  mean  "little  salmon."  But  Mr. 
Chambers  shows  that  it  is  probably  derived  from  ouen-a,  a  Mon- 
tagnais interrogative  "Look  there!  What  is  that?"  The  name 
is  frequently  written  "Winninish,"  "  Winnonish,"  "  Wananishe," 
and  a  score  of  other  ways,  all  variants  of  the  same  word. 

170 


The   Ouananiche 

As  a  game-fish,  those  who  have  had  experience  with  the 
ouananiche  think  it  has  no  equal.  They  may  be  taken  at  any 
time  between  the  going  out  of  the  ice  and  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember, though  the  best  fishing  is  said  to  be  late  in  May. 
During  the  early  part  of  the  season  it  may  be  taken  with  bait 
of  worms,  pork,  pieces  of  chub,  or  even  ouananiche  itself  along 
the  shore  of  Lake  St.  John.  It  is  occasionally  taken  then  with  the 
artificial  fly,  but  fly-fishing  for  the  ouananiche  is  usually  not  a 
successful  method  of  capturing  it. 

According  to  Mr.  Chambers,  who  has  written  a  delightful 
volume  on  the  ouananiche,  no  better  direction  can  be  given  for 
angling  for  the  fish  in  the  lake  itself  than  some  of  the  quaint 
instructions  for  catching  salmon,  of  Thomas  Barker,  in  Barker's 
Delight,  or  the  Art  of  Angling: 

"The  angler  that  goeth  to  catch  him  with  a  line  and 
hook  must  angle  for  him  as  nigh  the  middle  of  the  water  as  he 
can  with  one  of  these  baits:  He  must  take  2  bob-worms, 
baited  as  handsomely  as  he  can,  that  the  4  ends  may  hang  meet 
of  a  length,  and  so  angle  as  nigh  the  bottom  as  he  can,  feeling 
your  plummet  run  on  the  ground  some  12  inches  from  the 
hook:  if  you  angle  for  him  with  a  flie  (which  he  will  rise  at 
like  a  trout)  the  flie  must  be  made  of  a  large  hook,  which  hook 
must  carry  six  wings,  or  four  at  least;  there  is  judgment  in  mak- 
ing these  flyes.  The  salmon  will  come  at  a  gudgeon  in  the 
manner  of  a  trouling,  and  cometh  at  it  bravely,  which  is  fine 
angling  for  him  and  good.  You  must  be  sure  that  you  have 
your  line  of  twenty-six  yards  of  length,  that  you  may  have  your 
convenient  time  to  turne  him,  or  else  you  are  in  danger  to  lose 
him:  but  if  you  turne  him  you  are  very  like  to  have  the  fish 
with  small  tackles;  the  danger  is  all  in  the  running  out  both  of 
salmon  and  trout,  you  must  forecast  to  turn  the  fish  as  you  do 
a  wild  horse,  either  upon  the  right  or  left  hand,  and  wind  up 
your  line  as  you  finde  occasion  in  the  guiding  the  fish  to  the 
shore." 

At  the  Grand  De"charge  the  ouananiche  will  take  the  fly  at 
any  time,  but  not  so  freely  after  the  middle  of  July.  In  the 
northern  tributaries  of  Lake  St.  John  they  may  be  taken  at  the 
surface  during  July  and  August. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Van  Dyke  writes  thus  entertainingly  of  the 
ouananiche: 

» 
171 


The   Ouananiche 

"But  the   prince  of  the  pool  was  the  fighting  ouananiche,  the 
little  salmon   of   St.    John.      Here    let    me   chant   thy   praise,    thou 
noblest    and     most    high-minded    fish,     the    cleanest    feeder,    the 
merriest    liver,    the   loftiest   leaper  and  the  bravest  warrior    of   all 
creatures   that    swim!      Thy   cousin,    the   trout,    in  his   purple    and 
gold    with    crimson    spots,    wears    a   more   splendid   armour  than 
thy  russet  and   silver   mottled   with   black,  but  thine  is  the  kinglier 
nature.     His    courage  and   skill,  compared   with   thine, 
'  Are   as  moonlight   unto   sunlight, 
And  as  water  unto  wine.' 

"The  old  salmon  of  the  sea  who  begat  thee  long  ago  in 
these  inland  waters  became  a  backslider,  descending  again  to  the 
ocean,  and  grew  gross  and  heavy  with  coarse  feeding.  But 
thou,  unsalted  salmon  of  the  foaming  floods,  not  land-locked  as 
men  call  thee,  but  choosing  of  thine  own  free  will  to  dwell  on  a 
loftier  level  in  the  pure,  swift  current  of  a  living  stream,  hath 
grown  in  grace  and  risen  to  a  better  life. 

"  Thou  art  not  to  be  measured  by  quantity  but  by  quality, 
and  thy  five  pounds  of  pure  vigour  will  outweigh  a  score  of  pounds 
of  flesh  less  vitalized  by  spirit.  Thou  feedest  on  the  flies  of  the 
air,  and  thy  food  is  transformed  into  an  aerial  passion  for  flight, 
as  thou  springest  across  the  pool,  vaulting  toward  the  sky.  Thine 
eyes  have  grown  large  and  keen  by  peering  through  the  foam, 
and  the  feathered  hook  that  can  deceive  thee  must  be  deftly  tied 
and  delicately  cast.  Thy  tail  and  fins,  by  ceaseless  conflict  with 
the  rapids,  have  broadened  and  strengthened,  so  that  they  can 
flash  thy  slender  body  like  a  living  arrow  up  the  fall.  As  Launce- 
lot  among  the  knights,  so  art  thou  among  the  fish,  the  plain- 
armoured  hero,  the  sun-burnt  champion  of  all  the  water-folk." 

According  to  Eugene  McCarthy,  who  has  written  much  and 
entertainingly  concerning  the  ouananiche,  this  fish  when  hooked 
will  jump  out  of  the  water  5  or  6  times  on  an  average,  and 
sometimes  will  jump  10  or  12  times. 

"And  such  jumps!  Two  or  3  feet  out  of  the  water,  often 
toward  the  fisherman,  then  a  rush  deep  down — a  pause — a  suc- 
cession of  jerks  that  would  seem  to  tear  the  hook  loose — a  wild 
rush  of  varying  distance,  and  a  run  back,  almost  to  the  angler's 
feet.  A  fish  weighing  3$  or  4  pounds  will  make  a  fight  lasting 
10  or  15  minutes,  often  longer,  and  that  means  hard  work  for 
every  moment  for  the  fisherman." 

172 


The    Ouananiche 

The  average  size  of  the  ouananiche  is  2\  to  3^-  pounds,  though 
examples  weighing  8  pounds  are  often  taken. 

The  ouananiche  does  not  differ  greatly  from  the  Atlantic 
salmon,  and  is  apparently  even  more  closely  related  to  the  Sebago 
salmon.  Some  ichthyologists  and  many  anglers  have  maintained 
that  all  3  are  identical,  and  that  the  Sebago  salmon  and  the 
ouananiche  are  not  worthy  even  of  a  subspecific  rank.  But  spe- 
cific or  subspecific  rank  is  not  determined  by  the  amount  or 
greatness  of  differences,  but  rather  by  their  constancy.  However 
small  the  differences  may  be,  if  they  are  real  and  constant,  and 
do  not  intergrade,  they  indicate  specific  distinctness;  however  great 
they  may  be,  if  not  constant,  or  if  they  show  intergradation, 
they  can  be  of  no  more  than  subspecific  value.  Subspecific  char- 
acters are  usually  associated  with  more  or  less  definite  geographic 
or  environmental  isolation,  and  the  characters  of  the  subspecies 
and  those  of  the  parent  species*  will  intergrade  where  the  two 
habitats  join  or  overlap. 

It  seems  certain  that  both  the  Sebago  salmon  and  the  ouanan- 
iche are  geographically  isolated  forms,  each  possessing  characters 
by  which  it  is  readily  distinguished  from  the  other,  and  from 
the  Atlantic  salmon  as  well.  Whether  the  differential  characters 
intergrade  or  not  has  not  been  fully  determined.  If  they  do  not, 
then  each  should  rank  as  a  full  species,  and  bear  a  binomial 
instead  of  a  trinomial  name.  Comparing  the  ouananiche  with 
the  grilse  of  the  Atlantic  salmon,  Mr.  Walter  M.  Bracket,  as 
quoted  by  Mr.  Chambers,  says  the  eye  of  the  former  "is  much, 
larger,  the  profile  rounder,  the  dark  spots  larger  and  much  more 
numerous.  In  fact,  the  grilse  is  much  more  of  an  aristocrat  than 
his  freshwater  cousin,  being  finer  in  his  proportions  and  much 
purer  in  colour — due,  no  doubt,  to  his  different  habitat  and 
food."  But  Mr.  Bracket's  use  of  the  term  ouananiche  includes 
the  Sebago  salmon  also. 

Mr.  Chambers  says  of  the  ouananiche,  "  Its  fins  are  larger  and 
stronger  [than  those  of  Salmo  salar}.  ...  Its  tail  is  unusually 
broad.  .  .  .  The  eye  of  the  ouananiche  is  much  larger  than  that 
of  the  ordinary  salmon,  the  St.  Andrew's  cross-marks  upon  the 
sides  are  closer  together,  and  there  are  larger  and  more  distinct 

*  Used  for  convenience  for  the  earlier  described  form,  which  may,  in  reality,  be  the 
derived  form. 

173 


The  Trout  of  Western  America 

black  spots  upon  the  gill-covers,  in  shape  both  round  and 
irregular." 

Mr.  J.  G.  A.  Creighton  says  "the  teeth  in  the  ouananiche 
are  larger  than  in  Salmo  salar,  .  .  .  the  fins  are  proportionately 
much  larger,  especially  the  tail.  .  .  .  The  eye  is  remarkably  large, 
about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter  in  the  adult,  with  a  pupil 
-£-inch  in  diameter.  These  measurements  are  much  greater  than  in 
the  sea-salmon  of  15  to  20  pounds'  weight." 

The  evidence  seems  to  indicate  that  the  ouananiche  is  specifi- 
cally distinct  .from  the  Atlantic  salmon  and  from  the  Sebago 
salmon,  and  for  the  present  we  prefer  to  so  regard  it. 

The  Trout  of  Western  America 

In  the  western  part  of  America  are  found  more  than  a  score 
of  trout  of  the  genus  Salmo  all  closely  related  and  difficult  to 
distinguish.  There  are  representatives  in  the  headwaters  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  Arkansas,  Platte,  Missouri,  and  Colorado;  also  in  the 
Great  Salt  Lake  basin,  throughout  the  Columbia  basin,  and  in  all 
suitable  waters  from  southern  California  and  Chihuahua  to  Alaska 
and  Kamchatka. 

Among  the  various  more  or  less  tangible  forms  that  may  be 
recognized,  3  distinct  series  appear  which  have  been  regarded 
provisionally  by  us  as  distinct  species.  These  have  been  termed 
the  cut-throat  trout  series,  the  rainbow  trout  series,  and  the  steel- 
head  series,  each  of  which  has  been  sufficiently  characterized  in 
the  key  on  page  163. 

The  steelhead,  or  gairdneri  series,  is  found  in  the  coastwise 
streams  of  California  and  in  the  streams  of  Oregon  and  Washing- 
ton, below  the  great  Shoshone  Falls  of  Snake  River.  In  the 
lower  course  of  the  Columbia  and  in  neighbouring  streams  they 
are  entirely  distinct  from  the  cut-throat  or  clarkii  series,  and  no 
one  would  question  the  validity  of  the  2  species.  In  the  lower 
Snake  River  and  in  other  waters  east  of  the  Cascade  range,  the 
2  forms  or  species  are  indistinguishable,  being  either  undifferen- 
tiated  or  else  inextricably  mixed. 

The  rainbow  forms  are  chiefly  confined  to  the  streams  of 
California  and  southern  Oregon.  The  cut-throat  forms  are  found 
from  Humboldt  Bay  northward  in  the  coastwise  streams  of  northern 
California,  Oregon  and  Washington,  and  all  the  clear  streams  on 


The   Trout   of  Western   America 

both  sides  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  in  the  Great  Basin  and 
the  headwaters  of  the  Colorado.  Along  the  western  slope  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada  there  are  also  forms  of  trout  with  the  general  ap- 
pearance of  steelheads,  but  with  scales  intermediate  in  number  (in 
McCloud  River),  or  with  scales  as  small  as  in  the  typical  cut- 
throat (Kern  River).  In  these  small-scaled  forms  more  or  less 
red  appears  below  the  lower  jaw,  and  they  are  doubtless  what 
they  appear  to  be,  really  intermediate  between  clarkii  and  gairdneri, 
A  similar  series  of  forms  occurs  in  the  Columbia  basin,  the  upper 
Snake  being  inhabited  by  clarkii  and  the  lower  Snake  by  clarkii 
and  gairdneri,  together  with  a  medley  of  intermediate  forms. 

It  seems  not  improbable  that  the  American  trout  originated  in 
Asia,  extended  its  range  southward  to  the  upper  Columbia,  thence 
to  the  Yellowstone  and  the  Missouri  "via  Two-Ocean  Pass;  from 
the  Missouri  southward  to  the  Platte  and  the  Arkansas,  thence 
from  the  Platte  to  the  Rio  Grande  and  the  Colorado,  and  then 
from  the  Colorado  across  the  Sierras  to  Kern  River,  thence  north- 
ward and  coastwise,  the  sea-running  forms  passing  from  stream 
to-  stream  as  far  north  as  the  Fraser  where  the  Kamloops  trout 
Would  mark  one  extreme  of  the  series,  and  re-entering  as  a  dis- 
tinct species  waters  long  occupied  by  typical  clarkii. 

The  various  forms  of  cut-throat  trout  have  usually  been  re- 
garded merely  as  subspecies  of  the  species  originally  described  as 
Salmo  clarhii,  but  as  none  of  them  is  really  known  to  intergrade 
with  any  other  we  now  think  it  best  to  consider  them  all  as 
distinct  species.  Most  of  them  certainly  are  good  species  while 
a  few  others  may  prove  wholly  undefinable. 

a.  Black  spots  almost  as  numerous  on  the  head  as  on  the  pos- 

terior part  of  the  body. 

b.  Scales  usually   about    160  to    170. 

c.  Spots   rather    large,    irregular    and    profusely    scattered,    usually 

none  on  the  belly. 

d.  Red   marks   under  dentary   bones   always   present. 

e.  Black  spots   encroaching  somewhat   on   belly; clarkii,    176 

ee.    Black  spots   not  encroaching  on   belly; lewisi,    179 

dd.    Red   marks   under  dentary  bones   obsolete   or  nearly  so; 

gibbsii,   179 
cc.    Spots    rather    large,    sparsely    scattered,    some    on    belly  and 

lower  side  of  head ; henshawi,   180 

bb.   Scales  very   small,    about   200  transverse  series;   tahoensis,    181 

'75 


The   Cut-throat   Trout 

bbb.    Scales   large,    usually   about    145.      Body   profusely    but  finely 

spotted,  the  spots  numerous   both  anteriorly   and  posteriorly; 
virginalis;  jordani;  bathcecetor,   182-183 
aa.    Black  spots   placed   chiefly   on   posterior  half  of  body. 

/.    No   black  spots   except  on   tail; declivifrons,    184 

ff.    Black   spots   on   body. 

g.    Scales    not    very    small,     about    160;    spots     of    moderate    size 

(Rio  Grande  Basin); ...spilurus,   185 

gg.  '  Scales   very   small,    about    180. 

h.    Spots  rather  large;   lower  fins   distinctly   red,  rarely   orange. 

i.   Spots  very   numerous ;   a  red  lateral   band   (Colorado   Basin) ; 

pleuriticus,   186 
it.   Spots   less   numerous,    none  anteriorly   (Waha   Lake); 

bouvieri,   \  87 
Hi.    Spots     few     and     large,     chiefly    on    the    tail     (Arkansas    and 

Platte  rivers) ; stomias,   1 88 

hh.   Spots    all  small;    lower  fins  bright    yellow;    a   yellow   lateral 

shade  (Twin  Lakes,   Colorado) ; macdonaldi,    188 


Cut-throat  Trout 

Salmo  clarkii  Richardson 

The  cut-throat  trout,  probably  the  parent  form  from  which  all 
others  of  the  series  have  been  derived,  is  found  in  all  the  coastwise 
streams  and  lakes  from  northern  California  to  British  Columbia 
and  possibly  into  southeastern  Alaska.  In  the  Columbia  River  basin 
it  is  found  as  far  up  the  Snake  River  as  Shoshone  Falls  and  into  the 
headwaters  of  the  Pend  d'  Oreille.  In  the  waters  about  Puget  Sound 
it  is  very  abundant,  as  it  is,  in  fact,  throughout  most  of  its  range. 

It  is  known  variously  as  cut-throat  trout,  black-spotted  trout, 
Columbia  River  trout,  and  by  many  other  local  names. 

In  the  earlier  books  this  species  was  identified  with  the  Myhiss 
of  Kamchatka  and  was  called  Salmo  myhiss  or  Salmo  purpuratus. 
But  recent  investigations  have  shown  that  it  is  not  identical  with  the 
Kamchatkan  species,  and  that  there  is  a  wide  region  between 
Kamchatka  and  southeast  Alaska  in  which  no  trout  are  found. 

The  cut-throat  trout  and  all  of  this  series  spawn  in  the  spring 
and  early  summer.  Those  in  the  streams  seek  the  shallow  waters 
of  the  smaller  creeks  while  those  of  the  lakes  come  to  the  shallow 
waters  near  shore  or  upon  the  bars;  in  many  cases  they  ascend 
tributary  streams. 

176 


vSTEELHEAD  TROUT,  Salmo  gairdwn 


%"-:Sr5*^--k 


CUT-THROAT  TROUT,  Sa/wo 


The  Cut-throat  Trout 

The  silver  trout  of  Lake  Tahoe  and  the  yellow-firmed  trout  of 
Twin  Lakes  probably  spawn  in  deeper  water. 

The  cut-throat  trout  and  its  different  derived  forms  vary  greatly 
in  the  sizes  at  which  they  reach  maturity,  the  chief  factors  being,  of 
course,  the  size  of  the  body  of  water  they  inhabit  and  the  amount 
of  the  food  supply. 

Those  species  or  individuals,  dwelling  in  lakes  of  considerable 
size  where  the  water  is  of  such  temperature  and  depth  as  insure  an 
ample  food-supply,  will  reach  a  large  size,  while  those  in  a  restricted 
environment  where  both  the  water  and  food  are  limited,  will  be  small 
directly  in  proportion  to  these  environing  restrictions.  The  trout  of 
the  Klamath  Lakes,  for  example,  reach  a  weight  of  at  least  17  pounds, 
while  in  Fish  Lake  in  Idaho  mature  trout  do  not  exceed  8  to  9^  inches 
in  total  length  or  one-fourth  pound  in  weight.  In  small  creeks  in  the 
Sawtooth  Mountains  and  elsewhere  they  reach  maturity  at  a  length 
of  5  or  6  inches,  and  are  often  spoken  of  as  brook  trout  under  the 
impression  that  they  are  a  species  different  from  the  larger  ones  found 
in  the  lakes  and  larger  streams.  But  as  all  sorts  of  gradations 
between  these  extreme  forms  may  be  found  in  the  intervening  and 
connecting  waters  the  differences  have  not  even  subspecific  significance. 

The  various  forms  of  cut-throat  trout  vary  greatly  in  game 
qualities;  even  the  same  species  in  different  waters,  in  different 
parts  of  its  habitat,  or  at  different  seasons,  will  vary  greatly  in  this 
regard.  In  general,  however,  it  is  perhaps  a  fair  statement  to  say 
that  the  cut-throat  trout  are  regarded  by  anglers  as  being  inferior  in 
gaminess  to  the  eastern  brook  trout.  But  while  this  is  true,  it  must 
not  by  any  means  be  inferred  that  it  is  without  game  qualities,  for  it 
is  really  a  fish  which  possesses  those  qualities  in  a  very  high  degree. 
Its  vigour  and  voraciousness  are  determined  largely,  of  course,  by 
the  character  of  the  stream  or  lake  in  which  it  lives.  The  individuals 
which  dwell  in  cold  streams  about  cascades  and  seething  rapids 
will  show  marvellous  strength  and  will  make  a  fight  which  is  rarely 
equalled  by  its  eastern  cousin;  while  in  warmer  and  larger  streams 
and  lakes  they  may  be  very  sluggish  and  show  but  little  fight.  Yet 
this  is  by  no  means  always  true.  In  the  Klamath  Lakes  where  the 
trout  grow  very  large  and  where  they  are  often  very  loggy,  one 
is  occasionally  hooked  which  tries  to  the  utmost  the  skill  of  the  angler 
to  prevent  his  tackle  from  being  smashed  and  at  the  same  time  save 
the  fish.  An  instance  is  on  record  of  a  most  enthusiastic  and  skilful 
angler  who  required  one  hour  and  three-quarters  to  bring  to  net 

177 


The  Cut-throat   Trout 

a  nine  and  three-quarter  pound  fish  in  Pelican  Bay,  Upper  Klamatti" 
Lake. 

These  trout  can  be  taken  in  all  sorts  of  ways.  Trolling  in  the 
lakes  with  the  spoon  or  phantom  minnow  is  the  usual  method,  but  they 
rise  readily  to  the  artificial  fly,  the  grasshopper,  or  a  buncn  of  salmon 
eggs.  In  the  larger  streams  they  may  be  caught  in  any  of  these 
ways,  while  in  the  smaller  streams  casting  with  the  fly  or  with  hook 
baited  with  grasshopper  or  salmon  eggs  is  the  most  successful  way. 

To  enumerate  the  streams  and  lakes  in  the  West  where  one  may 
find  good  trout-fishing  would  be  entirely  impracticable;  they  are 
numerous  in  all  the  Western  States.  One  of  us  has  found  exception- 
ally fine  trout  fishing  at  the  Dempsey  Lakes  in  Montana,  in  and  about 
the  Payette  and  Redfish  lakes  in  Idaho,  in  Pacific  Creek,  and  in  the 
Klamath  Lakes.  Near  Redfish  Lake,  in  Idaho,  is  a  small  lake  known 
as  Fish  Lake.  Its  area  is  about  25  acres.  It  is  nearly  circular  in  form, 
very  shallow,  and  9000  feet  above  sea-level.  In  this  little  lake  a 
particularly  beautiful  form  of  cut-throat  is  exceedingly  abundant. 

In  August  they  could  be  taken  on  the  artificial  fly  as  rapidly 
as  one  could  cast,  averaging  more  than  one  per  minute.  They 
bit  vigorously,  and  were  very  gamy,  often  jumping  2  or  3  times 
out  of  the  water.  In  this  region  the  best  fishing  in  the  small  streams 
is  in  the  spring  and  up  to  late  July.  In  the  small  lakes  it  con- 
tinues good  through  the  summer.  In  the  streams  somewhat 
larger,  summer  fishing  is  fairly  good,  but  not  until  October  is  it  at 
its  best.  But  while  some  seasons  are  better  than  others,  the 
angler  will  quite  certainly  always  find  good  cut-throat  trout  fishing  at 
whatever  season  he  cares  to  try  it.  The  typical  cut-throat  trout 
(Salmo  clarkii)  may  be  described  as  follows: 

Head  4;  depth  4;  D.  10;  A.  10;  coeca  43;  scales  small,  in 
150  to  170  cross  series.  Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  rather 
short;  mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  not  reaching  far  beyond 
the  eye;  vomerine  teeth  as  usual  set  in  an  irregular  zig-zag  series; 
teeth  on  the  hyoid  bone  normally  present,  but  often  obsolete 
in  old  examples;  dorsal  fin  rather  low;  caudal  fin  slightly  forked 
(more  so  in  the  young).  Colour,  silvery  olivaceous,  often  dark 
steel  colour;  back,  upper  part  of  side  and  caudal  peduncle  pro- 
fusely covered  with  rounded  black  spots  of  varying  sizes  and 
shapes,  these  spots  often  on  the  head,  and  sometimes  extending 
on  the  belly;  dorsal,  adipose,  and  caudal  fins  covered  with  sim- 
ilar spots  about  as  large  as  the  nostril;  inner  edge  of  the  man- 
dible with  a  deep-red  blotch,  which  is  a  diagnostic  mark;  middle 

178 


The  Yellowstone  Trout 

of  side  usually  with  a  diffuse  pale  rosy  wash,  this  sometimes 
quite  bright,  and  extending  on  to  side  of  head;  under  parts  silvery 
white.  The  red  blotches  or  washing  on  the  membrane  joining 
the  dentary  bones  of  the  lower  jaw  are  usually  constant,  prob- 
ably always  present  in  the  adult,  and  constitute  a  most  important 
character. 

This  species  has  been  called  Salmo  mykiss  in  various  publi- 
cations by  the  writers  and  others,  but  the  true  Salmo  mykiss  is 
allied  to  Salmo  salar,  and  has  never  been  taken  outside  of 
Kamchatka. 


Yellowstone  Trout 

Salmo  lewisi  (Girard) 

The  Yellowstone  or  Lewis  trout  inhabits  the  Snake  River  basin 
above  Shoshone  Falls,  and  the  headwaters  of  the  Missouri.  It  is 
abundant  throughout  this  whole  region  in  all  accessible  waters, 
and  is  particularly  numerous  in  Yellowstone  Lake.  As  already 
stated  the  trout  of  Yellowstone  Lake  certainly  came  Linto  the 
Missouri  basin  by  way  of  Two-Ocean  Pass  from  the  Upper  Snake 
River  basin.  One  of  the  present  writers  has  caught  them  in  the 
very  act  of  going  over  Two- Ocean  Pass  from  Pacific  into  Atlantic 
drainage.  The  trout  on  the  two  sides  of  the  pass  cannot  be 
separated,  and  constitute  a  single  species. 

Silver  Trout 

Salmo  gibbsii  Suckley 

In  the  tributaries  of  the  Columbia,  between  Shoshone  Falls 
and  the  Cascades,  in  the  lakes  and  larger  streams,  there  is  a  trout 
which  may  be  called  the  silver  trout.  It  is  particularly  common 
in  the  Des  Chutes  River,  and  in  the  Payette  Lakes  in  Idaho. 
Examples  about  15  inches  long  taken  in  Big  Payette  Lake,  Septem- 
ber 27,  had  the  spots  small,  half  circles,  few  below  middle  of  side ; 
rosy  wash  on  side  and  opercles,  brightest  in  the  male;  scarcely 
any  red  on  throat;  belly  silvery,  back  dark-greenish ;  scales  about  140 
to  145.  On  this  date,  while  sailing  across  this  lake,  trout  could  be 

179 


Lake   Tahoe   Trout ;    Truckee   Trout;    "Pogy;"    "Snipe" 

seen  jumping  in  various  places;  usually  as  many  as  15  or  20 
could  be  seen  at  any  moment.  They  would  take  the  trolling-spoon 
readily,  and  proved  very  gamy  fish. 


Lake  Tahoe  Trout;  Truckee  Trout;  "Pogy"; 

"Snipe" 

Salmo  henshawi  Gill  &  Jordan 

This  interesting  trout  is  found  in  western  Nevada  and  neigh- 
bouring parts  of  California  in  the  region  comprised  in  the  basin  of 
the  old  post-Tertiary  Lake  Lahontan.  It  is  known  from  Lakes  Tahoe, 
Pyramid,  Webber,  Conner  and  Independence;  also  from,  the 
Truckee,  Humboldt  and  Carson  rivers,  and  from  most  streams  on 
the  east  slope  of  the  Sierras.  It  is  also  found  in  the  head- 
waters of  the  Feather  River,  where  it  has  probably  been  introduced. 

The  Tahoe  trout  reaches  a  weight  of  3  to  6  pounds, 
is  a  food  and  game  fish  of  considerable  importance,  and  is  often 
seen  in  the  San  Francisco  markets.  It  spawns  in  the  spring, 
entering  the  shallow  water  of  the  streams  for  that  purpose. 

Head  3f;  depth  4;  D.  1 1 ;  A.  12;  scales  27  to  37-160  to  184- 
27  to  37,  usually  about  170  in  a  longitudinal  series;  caudal  fin 
short,  rather  strongly  forked.  Colour,  dark  green  in  the  pure 
waters  of  Lake  Tahoe;  pale  green  in  the  salty  waters  of  Pyramid 
Lake;  side  silvery,  with  a  strong  shade  of  coppery  red;  back 
about  equally  spotted  before  and  behind,  the  spots  large  and 
mostly  round;  spots  on  side  rather  distant;  belly  generally  with 
round  spots;  head  with  large  black  spots  above,  some  even  on 
snout  and  lower  jaw;  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  spotted;  a  few  large 
spots  on  anal;  red  dashes  on  lower  jaw  present;  young  less 
spotted. 

1 80 


Silver  Trout  of  Lake  Tahoe 

i 

Silver  Trout  of  Lake  Tahoe 

Salmo  tahoensis  Jordan  &  Evermann 

In  the  deep  waters  of  Lake  Tahoe  is  found  a  trout  of  im- 
mense size,  known  to  the  anglers  who  are  familiar  with  that 
lake  as  the  silver  trout.  So  far  as  known  this  trout  is  never 
seen  in  the  shallow  water,  but  remains  at  considerable  depths, 
and  spawns  in  the  lake  itself.  It  is  a  large,  robust  fish,  profusely 
spotted,  the  spots  often  oblong,  and  the  general  colouration  more 
silvery  than  in  the  ordinary  Tahoe  trout.  An  example,  the  type 
of  the  species,  2  feet  4  inches  long,  and  weighing  7^  pounds, 
caught  by  Mr.  A.  J.  Bayley,  presented  the  following  characters. 

Head  4TV;  depth  jj-f;  eye  yf;  D.  9;  A.  12;  Br.  10;  scales  33- 
205-40,  140  pores;  P.  if;  maxillary  if.  Body  very  robust,  com- 
pressed, unusually  deep  for  a  trout,  the  outline  elliptical;  head 
large;  eye  small,  silvery;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  well 
beyond  the  eye;  scales  small,  reduced  above  and  below;  caudal  fin 
slightly  lunate,  almost  truncate  when  spread.  Colour,  dark  green 
above;  belly  silvery;  side  with  a  broad,  coppery  shade  covering 
cheek  and  opercles;  sides  of  lower  jaw  yellowish;  fins  olivaceous, 
a  little  reddish  below;  orange  dashes  between  rami  of  lower  jaw 
moderately  conspicuous;  back,  from  tip  of  snout  to  tail,  closely 
covered  with  large,  unequal  black  spots,  those  on  nape  and  top 
of  head  round;  posteriorly  the  spots  run  together,  forming  vari- 
ously shaped  markings,  usually  vertically  oblong,  which  may  be 
regarded  as  formed  of  3  or  4  spots  placed  in  a  series,  or  with 
i  or  2  at  the  side  of  the  other,  the  longest  of  these  oblong 
markings  being  not  quite  as  long  as  the  eye;  spots  on  side  of 
head  and  body  very  sparse,  those  on  head  round,  those  behind 
vertically  oblong;  belly  profusely  covered  with  small  black  spots 
which  are  nearly  round;  still  smaller  round  spots  numerous  on 
lower  jaw;  spots  on  caudal  peduncle  vertically  oblong  or  curved; 
dorsal  and  caudal  densely  covered  with  oblong  spots,  smaller 
than  those  on  body;  anal  with  rather  numerous  round  spots; 
pectorals  and  ventrals  with  a  few  small  spots,  the  first  ray^  of 
each  with  a  series  of  small,  faint  spots;  adipose  fin  spotted. 


181 


The   Utah  Trout 


Utah  Trout 

Salmo  virginalis  (Girard) 

In  all  suitable  streams  and  lakes  of  the  old  Lake  Bonneville 
basin,  of  which  the  waters  of  the  Great  Basin  are  the  present 
vanishing  remnants,  is  found  a  trout  which  is  profusely  and  finely 
spotted,  the  spots  being  numerous  anteriorly  as  well  as  poste- 
riorly; scales  a  little  larger  than  usual,  in  140  to  150  lengthwise 
series,  and  anteriorly  less  crowded  than  in  the  trout  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  or  in  the  green-backed  trout.  In  partly  alkaline  waters, 
such  as  in  Utah  Lake,  this  trout  reaches  a  very  large  size,  ex- 
amples of  8  to  12  pounds  being  not  uncommon.  In  these  waters 
it  is  very  pale  in  colour,  the  dark  spots  being  few  and  small, 
and  mostly  confined  to  the  back. 

The  Utah  trout  is  found  in  the  streams  and  lakes  of 
Utah  west  of  the  Wasatch  Mountains,  especially  in  Bear,  Provo, 
Jordan  and  Sevier  rivers,  and  in  Utah  Lake,  where  it  is  a  very 
abundant  and  important  food-fish. 

Jordan's  Trout ;  Spotted   Trout   of   Lake 
Southerland 

Salmo  jordani  Meek 

In  Lake  Southerland,  west  of  Puget  Sound,  is  found  a  black- 
spotted  trout  of  the  cut-throat  series  which,  in  colour,  seems  to 
resemble  the  Utah  trout.  It  is,  according  to  Professor  D.  G. 
Elliot,  a  "beautiful  and  exceedingly  gamy  trout,  taking  the  fly 
readily  even  as  late  as  October,  a  great  leaper  when  hooked, 
and  fights  d  I'outrance.  In  appearance  it  resembles  Salmo 

182 


Long-headed  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

gairdneri  crescentis  of  the  neighbouring  lake,  being  fully  as  bril- 
liantly coloured,  but  can  be  at  once  distinguished  by  its  orange 
or  orange-red  fins,  red  on  the  jaw,  the  number  and  blackness  of 
its  spots,  and  the  darker  back  and  top  of  head.  At  no  stage 
of  its  existence  that  I  have  seen,  from  fingerlings  to  fish  weigh- 
ing over  4  pounds,  is  there  any  silvery  lustre,  but  the  colours 
are  all  bright-hued,  some  even  metallic.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
attractive  of  its  tribe,  and  I  have  had  them  leap  after  taking  the 
fly,  in  such  rapid  succession  and  with  such  dartings  about  the 
lake,  that  it  was  impossible  to  imagine  where  they  would  next 
appear.  I  believe  it  spawns  in  the  spring,  as  in  the  middle  of 
October,  the  eggs  of  the  females  we  caught  were  not  enlarged, 
and  showed  no  indication  of  the  approach  of  the  spawning  season." 

Head  3f;  depth  4^;  eye  5|;  snout  4^-;  maxillary  if;  scales 
146;  D.  10;  A.  ii ;  Br.  10  or  n.  Body  elongate,  not  much  com- 
pressed; head  short,  maxillary  not  extending  far  beyond  orbit; 
origin  of  dorsal  fin  midway  between  \ip  of  snout  and  base  of 
caudal. 


Long-headed  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

Salmo  bathcecetor  Meek 

According  to  Professor  Elliot,  who  collected  the  type  of  this 
species,  this  is  a  deepwater  fish,  keeping  always  near  the  bot- 
tom, never  coming  to  the  surface  at  any  time,  and,  of  course, 
not  taking  the  fly,  or  indeed  the  spoon,  or  any  kind  of  lure.  The 
only  way  it  can  be  captured  is  by  the  set-lines  sunk  within  a  foot 
of  the  bottom,  and  it  seems  there  are  only  a  few  places  in  the 
lake  where  it  can  be  caught  even  by  this  means.  It  is  a  brightly 
coloured  fish,  but  lacks  some  of  the  iridescence  of  the  speckled 
trout  of  Crescent  Lake,  which  it  otherwise  resembles. 

Head  3^  to  3$;  depth  5TV  to  5f;  eye  6|  to  vf ;  snout  3$; 
maxillary  if;  D.  10;  A.  n;  scales  150  to  152;  gillrakers  7  or 
8+ 1 1  to  13;  Br.  9  to  n.  Body  slender,  head  much  pointed; 
maxillary  very  long  and  very  slender,  reaching  considerably  beyond 
orbit;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines  large,  the  dentition 
strong;  mandible  very  strong;  gillrakers  short  and  thick.  Colour, 
much  as  in  the  speckled  trout  of  Crescent  Lake,  but  lighter;  head, 

183 


Salmon  Trout  of  Lake   Southerland 

body  and  tail  profusely  spotted  with  black;  ventrals  and  pectorals 
dark;  no  red  on  lower  jaw. 

This  trout  differs  from  Salmo  crescentis  in  being  more 
slender,  in  having  the  back  much  less  elevated,  the  head  more 
slender  and  pointed,  the  gillrakers  shorter,  and  the  maxillary 
straighter,  narrower  and  longer. 

It  is  probably  more  closely  related  to  the  steelhead  trout  series 
than  to  the  cut-throat  series,  and  perhaps  should  be  placed  as  a 
subspecies  of  Salmo  gairdneri. 


Salmon  Trout  of  Lake  Southerland 

Salmo  declivifrons  Meek 

The  general  colour  of  this  trout  closely  resembles  that  of  the 
blueback  trout  of  Crescent  Lake.  It  is,  however,  some  darker, 
and  has  no  spots  except  on  the  caudal  fin.  The  upper  ante- 
rior profile  is  also  much  more  curved. 

Head  3!;  depth  4f;  eye  5}-;  snout  4^;  maxillary  if;  scales 
148;  D.  10;  A.  ii;  Br.  10;  gillrakers  7+10.  Body  elongate,  back 
elevated,  anterior  profile  much  decurved;  tip  of  snout  below  axis 
of  body;  gape  nearly  horizontal,  more  so  than  in  other  trout;  max- 
illary reaching  beyond  eye;  dentition  strong.  Colour,  dark  blue 
above  and  on  side  to  lateral  line  posteriorly,  becoming  abruptly 
silvery;  belly  nearly  white;  no  spots  on  head  or  body  or  elsewhere 
except  few  on  caudal  fin;  upper  margin  of  lower  jaw  black,  a 
dark  blue  patch  on  cheek,  extending  obliquely  upward  and 
backward  to  near  upper  edge  of  opercle;  pectorals,  ventrals  and 
anal  yellowish. 

Known  only  from  Lake  Southerland  where  it  is  occasionally 
taken  and  where  it  is  called  "Salmon  trout,"  according  to  Profes- 
sor Elliot,  who  collected  the  type.  He  says,  "it  is  easily  recog- 
nizable, not  only  by  the  sharply  curved  upper  outline  of  the 
fore  part  of  the  body,  but  also  by  its  quite  different  style  of 
colouration,  which  resembles  somewhat  that  of  the  blueback  of 
Lake  Crescent. 

"As  there  is  no  water  connection  between  these  2  lakes,  and 
Lake  Southerland  is  75  feet  lower  than  Crescent  Lake,  and, 
moreover,  the  fish  of  that  lake  having  no  communication  with 
the  sea  on  account  of  a  very  high  precipitous  fall  a  short  dis- 
tance from  its  outlet,  it  cannot  be  supposed  that  these  two 

184 


Rio  Grande  Trout 

forms  are  in  any  way  identical.  Out  of  a  large  number  of  trout 
caught  by  me  in  Lake  Southerland  only  2  or  3  of  this  form  were 
procured,  and  they  were  all  of  small  size.  This  could  not  be 
the  fault  of  the  lake,  which  is  exceedingly  deep  and  nearly  3 
miles  in  length.  It  is  a  gamy  fish,  takes  the  fly,  leaps  out  of  the 
water,  and  is  a  good  fighter  for  its  size."  It  reaches  a  length  of 
10  inches. 


Rio  Grande  Trout 

Salmo  spilnrus  (Cope) 

This  trout  is  known  only  from  the  upper  Rio  Grande  basin 
and  southward  into  the  mountains  of  Chihuahua.  It  is  abundant 
in  most  mountain  streams,  but  irrigation  operations  in  Colorado 
and  New  Mexico  have  proved  very  destructive  to  it  on  account 
of  the  small  fish  running  up  the  ditches  and  out  upon  the  fields 
where  they  perish.  Del  Norte  and  Wagonwheel  Gap,  Colorado, 
used-  to  afford  excellent  trout  fishing.  The  trout  were  abundant, 
of  good  size  (2  to  2\  feet),  and  were  very  gamy. 

Head  3^;  depth  4;  D.  n;  A.  10;  scales  37-160-37.  Head 
rather  short,  its  upper  surface  considerably  decurved;  interorbital 
space  transversely  convex,  obtusely  carinated,  the  head  more 
convex  than  in  any  other  species;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching 
past  eye;  teeth  on  vomer  in  2  distinct  series;  dorsal  fin  low  in 
front,  high  behind,  the  last  ray  more  than  f  height  of  first;  last 
ray  of  anal  rather  long;  caudal  witi.  its  middle  rays  about  as 
long  as  the  others.  Colour,  back  ana  sides  profusely  covered 
with  round  black  spots,  most  developed  posteriorly,  few  on  the 

185 


Colorado  River  Trout 


head,  most  numerous  on,  the  caudal  and  adipose  fins;  side  with 
pale  blotches.  Very  much  resembling  the  Colorado  River  trout 
except  that  the  scales  are  considerably  larger  and  less  crowded 
anteriorly. 


Colorado  River  Trout 

Salmo  pleuriticus  (Cope) 

In  all  the  headwaters  of  the  Colorado  is  found  another  re- 
presentative of  the  cut-throat  trout  series.  It  is  abundant  through- 
out western  Colorado  and  in  all  clear  mountain  streams  in  Arizona. 
It  is  common  in  the  Eagle  and  Gunnison  where  it  reaches  a 
good  size  and  is  a  game-fish  of  very  high  rank. 

Opercle  short,  4f  to  5  in  head;  scales  small,  185  to  190  in 
lateral  line.  Close  to  typical  Salmo  clarhii,  but  the  black  spots 
gathered  chiefly  on  posterior  part  of  body,  the  head  being  nearly 
immaculate.  The  colour  is  extremely  variable,  but  the  lower 
fins  are  usually  red,  sometimes  orange;  usually  a  red  lateral 
band.  A  large,  handsome  and  variable  trout,  sometimes  profusely 
speckled,  sometimes  with  large  spots,  and  occasionally  with 
strong  golden  shades. 


186 


Waha  Lake  Trout 


Waha  Lake  Trout 

Salmo  bouvieri  (Bendire) 

This  curious  and  interesting  trout  is  known  only  from  Waha 
Lake,  Idaho,  a  small  mountain  lake  without  any  present  surface 
outlet. 

These  trout  reach  a  weight  of  3  pounds  though  examples  of 
that  size  are  not  often  seen.  The  usual  size  is  6  to  7  inches. 
They  do  not  take  the  fly  well  until  the  middle  of  the  summer, 
as  the  water  of  Waha  Lake  is  uncommonly  cold.  Then  they 
rise  readily  and  are  as  game  as  most  lake  trout.  The  food- 
quality  of  this  trout  is  said  to  be  unsurpassed.  Professor  J.  M. 
Aldrich,  of  Moscow,  Idaho,  who  has  had  much  experience  with 
the  Waha  trout,  speaks  in  the  highest  praise  as  to  its  delicacy 
and  delicious  flavour. 

Head  4;  depth  4f;  eye  4;  D.  10;  A.  1 1 ;  Br.  12;  scales  173; 
maxillary  2\.  Similar  to  typical  Salmo  clarkii,  but  with  dark 
spots  only  on  the  dorsal,  caudal  and  adipose  fins,  and  on  the 
caudal  peduncle  behind  front  of  anal,  where  the  spots  are  very 
profuse,  smaller  than  the  pupil;  anterior  regions  dusky-bluish,  not 
silvery;  red  blotch  on  throat  very  conspicuous;  head  shorter  and 
deeper  than  in  the  typical  cut-throat  trout,  the  snout  shorter  and 
blunter,  not  longer  than  the  eye;  opercle  and  preopercle  less  convex; 
caudal  moderately  forked. 


187 


Green-back  Trout 


Green-back    Trout 

Salmo  stomias  (Cope) 

This  trout  is  known  only  from  the  headwaters  of  the  Platte  and 
Arkansas  rivers  and  is  abundant  chiefly  in  the  smaller  streams  and 
brooks  and  in  the  shallow  waters  of  lakes.  It  is  the  common 
species  in  Twin  Lakes,  Colorado  and  in  the  waters  about  Leadville. 

It  is  a  small,  black-spotted  trout,  not  often  exceeding  a  pound  in 
weight,  closely  resembling  the  typical  cut-throat  trout,  but  differing 
chiefly  in  the  much  greater  size  of  its  black  spots  which  are  mainly 
gathered  on  the  posterior  half  of  the  body.  Mouth  small;  scales 
small,  about  180;  back  deep  green,  sides  sometimes  red;  flesh  deep 
salmon  coloured. 


Yellow-fin  Trout 

Salmo  macdonaldi  Jordan  &  Evermann 

This    interesting    and    beautiful    trout    is    known    only    from 
Twin  Lakes,  Colorado,  where  it  occurs  in  company  with  the  green- 

188 


Yellow-fin  Trout 

back  trout.  The  2  are  entirely  distinct,  the  size,  colouration  and 
habits  being  notably  different. 

The  yellow-fin  reaches  a  weight  of  8  or  9  pounds  while  the  other 
rarely  exceeds  a  pound.  The  former  lives  on  gravel  bottom  in  water 
of  some  depth  while  the  latter  is  a  shallow-water  trout  running  into 
small  brooks.  The  yellow-fm  trout  is  apparently  derived  from  the 
Colorado  River  trout  which  may  be  descended  from  the  Rio 
Grande  trout  which,  in  turn,  is  probably  derived  from  the  green-back 
trout  of  the  Arkansas. 

As  a  game-fish  the  yellow-fin  trout  has  attracted  much  attention 
from  local  anglers  by  whom  it  is  very  highly  regarded.  It  is  taken 
chiefly  by  trolling,  though  it  rises  promptly  to  the  fly  and  is  a  splendid 
fighter. 

Head  4;  depth  4^  to  5;  eye  5^;  snout  4-^5  D.  12;  A.  1 1 ;  Br.  10; 
scales  40-184-37,  about  125  pores.  Head  long,  compressed,  the 
snout  moderately  pointed;  mouth  rather  large,  maxillary  if  to  2  in 
head;  hyoid  teeth  present;  scales  small,  irregularly  placed.  Colour, 
light  olive;  a  broad  shade  of  lemon-yellow  along  side;  lower  fins 
bright  yellow:  no  red  anywhere  except  on  throat;  posterior  part  of 
body,  and  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  profusely  covered  with  small  dark 
spots  smaller  than  the  nostril;  head  and  anterior  part  of  body  with 
few  spots  or  none. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES   OF  STEELHEAD   TROUT  SERIES: 

a.  Scales  rather  smnll,  averaging  150  to  155. 

b.  Sides  bright  silvery,   usually  with  a  broad  flesh-coloured  or  rosy 

lateral  wash,  brightest  on  opercles.     Sea-running  forms,  reach- 
ing a  large  size; gairdneri,   190 

bb.   No  silvery  or  rosy  anywhere.     Probably  not  sea-running; 

crescentis,   1 9 1 

aa.   Scales  larger,  about  130  to  145. 

c.  Sides  very  silvery  and   bright   silvery  below;    a  broad   band   of 

bright'light  rose  colour;  spots  few; kamloops,   192 

cc.    Sides  little  silvery;  under  parts  white,  not  silvery;  no  rosy  lateral 
band ; beardsleei,  193 


189 


Steelhead  Trout 


Steel  head  Trout 

Salmo  gairdneri  Richardson 

This  species  is  variously  known  as  the  sleelhead,  steelhead  trout, 
salmon  trout,  and  hardhead.  It  is  found  in  all  coastwise  streams 
from  the  Santa  Ynez  Mountains,  Santa  Barbara  County,  California, 
north  to  British  Columbia  and  probably  to  Sitka.  It  is  especially 
abundant  in  the  lower  Columbia,  ascending  the  Snake  River  as  far  as 
Augur  Falls,  and  the  Pend  d'  Oreille  probably  to  Metaline  Falls. 

It  is  more  or  less  common  in  all  the  shorter  coastal  streams  and  is 
said  to  be  abundant  in  the  Russian  and  Klamath  rivers. 

The  steelhead  is  more  or  less  anadromous  in  its  habits,  being 
migratory  like  the  salmon,  and  ascending  rivers  fully  as  far. 

The  spawning  season  of  the  steelhead  seems  to  be  a  prolonged 
one  and  varying  greatly  with  the  locality.  In  the  headwaters  of 
Salmon  River,  Idaho,  where  there  are  important  spawning  beds, 
spawning  takes  place  in  May  and  early  June.  In  Payette  River  they 
spawn  a  fortnight  earlier,  and  in  the  shorter  tributaries  of  Snake  River 
from  April  15  to  May  10.  Still  lower  down  the  Columbia  basin  they 
probably  spawn  increasingly  earlier.  Of  4, 179  steelheads  examined 
during  the  last  week  in  September,  and  the  first  half  of  October, 
at  The  Dalles,  Oregon,  1,531  were  males  and  2,648  females;  476  males 
and  900  females  were  well  developed,  and  probably  would  have 
spawned  in  4  to  6  weeks.  The  remaining  2803  apparently  would  not 
have  spawned  until  the  next  spring. 

The  run  of  steelheads  in  the  lower  Columbia  is  heaviest  from 
August  to  November.  They  reach  the  Sawtooth  Mountains  early  in 
May  and  the  headwaters  of  Payette  River  early  in  April;  while  they 
reach  that  portion  of  Snake  River  between  Weiser  and  Lower  Salmon 
Falls  early  in  September  and  remain  until  spring  before  they  spawn. 

IQO 


The   Trout   of  Western   America 

both  sides  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  in  the  Great  Basin  and 
the  headwaters  of  the  Colorado.  Along  the  western  slope  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada  there  are  also  forms  of  trout  with  the  general  ap- 
pearance of  steelheads,  but  with  scales  intermediate  in  number  (in 
McCloud  River),  or  with  scales  as  small  as  in  the  typical  cut- 
throat (Kern  River).  In  these  small-scaled  forms  more  or  less 
red  appears  below  the  lower  jaw,  and  they  are  doubtless  what 
they  appear  to  be,  really  intermediate  between  clarkii  and  gairdneri, 
A  similar  series  of  forms  occurs  in  the  Columbia  basin,  the  upper 
Snake  being  inhabited  by  clarkii  and  the  lower  Snake  by  clarkii 
and  gairdneri,  together  with  a  medley  of  intermediate  forms. 

It  seems  not  improbable  that  the  American  trout  originated  in 
Asia,  extended  its  range  southward  to  the  upper  Columbia,  thence 
to  the  Yellowstone  and  the  Missouri  via  Two-Ocean  Pass;  from 
the  Missouri  southward  to  the  Platte  and  the  Arkansas,  thence 
from  the  Platte  to  the  Rio  Grande  and  the  Colorado,  and  then 
from  the  Colorado  across  the  Sierras  to  Kern  River,  thence  north- 
ward and  coastwise,  the  sea-running  forms  passing  from  stream 
to  stream  as  far  north  as  the  Fraser  where  the  Kamloops  trout 
would  mark  one  extreme  of  the  series,  and  re-entering  as  a  dis- 
tinct species  waters  long  occupied  by  typical  clarkii. 

The  various  forms  of  cut-throat  trout  have  usually  been  re- 
garded merely  as  subspecies  of  the  species  originally  described  as 
Salmo  clarkii,  but  as  none  of  them  is  really  known  to  intergrade 
with  any  other  we  now  think  it  best  to  consider  them  all  as 
distinct  species.  Most  of  them  certainly  are  good  species  while 
a  few  others  may  prove  wholly  undefinable. 

a.  Black  spots   almost   as   numerous  on   the   head  as   on  the  pos- 

terior part  of  the  body. 

b.  Scales  usually   about    160  to    170. 

c.  Spots   rather    large,    irregular    and    profusely    scattered,    usually 

none  on  the  belly. 

d.  Red   marks   under  dentary   bones   always   present. 

e.  Black  spots   encroaching  somewhat   on   belly; clarkii,    176 

ee.    Black  spots   not  encroaching  on   belly ;-. lewisi,    179 

dd.   Red   marks  under  dentary  bones   obsolete   or  nearly  so; 

gibbsii,   1 79 
cc.    Spots    rather    large,    sparsely    scattered,    some    on    belly  and 

lower  side  of  head ; henshawi,   180 

bb.   Scales   very   small,    about  200  transverse  series;   tahoensis,    181 

'75 


The   Cut-throat   Trout 

bbb.    Scales   large,    usually   about    145.      Body   profusely    but  finely 

spotted,  the  spots  numerous   both  anteriorly   and  posteriorly; 
•nirginalis;  jordani;  bathcecetor,    182-183 
aa.    Black  spots   placed   chiefly   on   posterior  half  of  body. 

/.   No   black  spots   except   on   tail; declivifrons,    184 

ff.    Black   spots   on   body. 

g.   Scales    not    very    small,     about    160;    spots     of    moderate    size 

(Rio  Grande  Basin ) ; spilurus,   185 

gg.    Scales   very   small,    about    180. 

h.   Spots  rather  large;   lower  fins   distinctly   red,  rarely   orange. 

/.    Spots  very   numerous;   a  red  lateral   band   (Colorado   Basin); 

pleuriticus,   1 86 
ii.   Spots   less   numerous,    none  anteriorly   (Waha   Lake); 

bouvieri,    1 87 
Hi.    Spots     few     and     large,     chiefly    on    the    tail     (Arkansas    and 

Platte  rivers) ; stomias,   1 88 

hh.    Spots    all   small;    lower  fins   bright    yellow;    a   yellow   lateral 

shade  (Twin  Lakes,   Colorado); macdonaldi,    188 


Cut-throat  Trout 

Salmo  clarkii  Richardson 

The  cut-throat  trout,  probably  the  parent  form  from  which  all 
others  of  the  series  have  been  derived,  is  found  in  all  the  coastwise 
streams  and  lakes  from  northern  California  to  British  Columbia 
and  possibly  into  southeastern  Alaska.  In  the  Columbia  River  basin 
it  is  found  as  far  up  the  Snake  River  as  Shoshone  Falls  and  into  the 
headwaters  of  the  Pend  d'  Oreille.  In  the  waters  about  Puget  Sound 
it  is  very  abundant,  as  it  is,  in  fact,  throughout  most  of  its  range. 

It  is  known  variously  as  cut-throat  trout,  black-spotted  trout, 
Columbia  River  trout,  and  by  many  other  local  names. 

In  the  earlier  books  this  species  was  identified  with  the  Mykiss 
of  Kamchatka  and  was  called  Salmo  mykiss  or  Salmo  purpuratus. 
But  recent  investigations  have  shown  that  it  is  not  identical  with  the 
Kamchatkan  species,  and  that  there  is  a  wide  region  between 
Kamchatka  and  southeast  Alaska  in  which  no  trout  are  found. 

The  cut-throat  trout  and  all  of  this  series  spawn  in  the  spring 
and  early  summer.  Those  in  the  streams  seek  the  shallow  waters 
of  the  smaller  creeks  while  those  of  the  lakes  come  to  the  shallow 
waters  near  shore  or  upon  the  bars;  in  many  cases  they  ascend 
tributary  streams. 

176 


•-      '        r          -  jrw  ^ 

-.r       >    '  luWJ 

"  1.  ^-^         ^     '  .*     ' 


STEELHEAD  TROUT,  So/wo  gairdne 


CUT-THROAT  TROUT,  Sa/wo  < 


The  Cut-throat  Trout 

The  silver  trout  of  Lake  Tahoe  and  the  yellow-firmed  trout  of 
Twin  Lakes  probably  spawn  in  deeper  water. 

The  cut-throat  trout  and  its  different  derived  forms  vary  greatly 
in  the  sizes  at  which  they  reach  maturity,  the  chief  factors  being,  of 
course,  the  size  of  the  body  of  water  they  inhabit  and  the  amount 
of  the  food  supply. 

Those  species  or  individuals,  dwelling  in  lakes  of  considerable 
size  where  the  water  is  of  such  temperature  and  depth  as  insure  an 
ample  food-supply,  will  reach  a  large  size,  while  those  in  a  restricted 
environment  where  both  the  water  and  food  are  limited,  will  be  small 
directly  in  proportion  to  these  environing  restrictions.  The  trout  of 
the  Klamath  Lakes,  for  example,  reach  a  weight  of  at  least  17  pounds, 
while  in  Fish  Lake  in  Idaho  mature  trout  do  not  exceed  8  to  9^  inches 
in  total  length  or  one-fourth  pound  in  weight.  In  small  creeks  in  the 
Sawtooth  Mountains  and  elsewhere  they  reach  maturity  at  a  length 
of  5  or  6  inches,  and  are  often  spoken  of  as  brook  trout  under  the 
impression  that  they  are  a  species  different  from  the  larger  ones  found 
in  the  lakes  and  larger  streams.  But  as  all  sorts  of  gradations 
between  these  extreme  forms  may  be  found  in  the  intervening  and 
connecting  waters  the  differences  have  not  even  subspecific  significance. 

The  various  forms  of  cut-throat  trout  vary  greatly  in  game 
qualities;  even  the  same  species  in  different  waters,  in  different 
parts  of  its  habitat,  or  at  different  seasons,  will  vary  greatly  in  this 
regard.  In  general,  however,  it  is  perhaps  a  fair  statement  to  say 
that  the  cut-throat  trout  are  regarded  by  anglers  as  being  inferior  in 
gaminess  to  the  eastern  brook  trout.  But  while  this  is  true,  it  must 
not  by  any  means  be  inferred  that  it  is  without  game  qualities,  for  it 
is  really  a  fish  which  possesses  those  qualities  in  a  very  high  degree. 
Its  vigour  and  voraciousness  are  determined  largely,  of  course,  by 
the  character  of  the  stream  or  lake  in  which  it  lives.  The  individuals 
which  dwell  in  cold  streams  about  cascades  and  seething  rapids 
will  show  marvellous  strength  and  will  make  a  fight  which  is  rarely 
equalled  by  its  eastern  cousin;  while  in  warmer  and  larger  streams 
and  lakes  they  may  be  very  sluggish  and  show  but  little  fight.  Yet 
this  is  by  no  means  always  true.  In  the  Klamath  Lakes  where  the 
trout  grow  very  large  and  where  they  are  often  very  loggy,  one 
is  occasionally  hooked  which  tries  to  the  utmost  the  skill  of  the  angler 
to  prevent  his  tackle  from  being  smashed  and  at  the  same  time  save 
the  fish.  An  instance  is  on  record  of  a  most  enthusiastic  and  skilful 
angler  who  required  one  hour  and  three-quarters  to  bring  to  net 

177 


The  Cut-throat   Trout 

a  nine  and  three-quarter  pound  fish  in  Pelican  Bay,  Upper  Klamatli 
Lake. 

These  trout  can  be  taken  in  all  sorts  of  ways.  Trolling  in  the 
lakes  with  the  spoon  or  phantom  minnow  is  the  usual  method,  but  they 
rise  readily  to  the  artificial  fly,  the  grasshopper,  or  a  buncn  of  salmon 
eggs.  In  the  larger  streams  they  may  be  caught  in  any  of  these 
ways,  while  in  the  smaller  streams  casting  with  the  fly  or  with  hook 
baited  with  grasshopper  or  salmon  eggs  is  the  most  successful  way. 

To  enumerate  the  streams  and  lakes  in  the  West  where  one  may 
find  good  trout-fishing  would  be  entirely  impracticable;  they  are 
numerous  in  all  the  Western  States.  One  of  us  has  found  exception- 
ally fine  trout  fishing  at  the  Dempsey  Lakes  in  Montana,  in  and  about 
the  Payette  and  Redfish  lakes  in  Idaho,  in  Pacific  Creek,  and  in  the 
Klamath  Lakes.  Near  Redfish  Lake,  in  Idaho,  is  a  small  lake  known 
as  Fish  Lake.  Its  area  is  about  25  acres.  It  is  nearly  circular  in  form, 
very  shallow,  and  9000  feet  above  sea-level.  In  this  little  lake  a 
particularly  beautiful  form  of  cut-throat  is  exceedingly  abundant. 

In  August  they  could  be  taken  on  the  artificial  fly  as  rapidly 
as  one  could  cast,  averaging  more  than  one  per  minute.  They 
bit  vigorously,  and  were  very  gamy,  often  jumping  2  or  3  times 
out  of  the  water.  In  this  region  the  best  fishing  in  the  small  streams 
is  in  the  spring  and  up  to  late  July.  In  the  small  lakes  it  con- 
tinues good  through  the  summer.  In  the  streams  somewhat 
larger,  summer  fishing  is  fairly  good,  but  not  until  October  is  it  at 
its  best.  But  while  some  seasons  are  better  than  others,  the 
angler  will  quite  certainly  always  find  good  cut-throat  trout  fishing  at 
whatever  season  he  cares  to  try  it.  The  typical  cut-throat  trout 
(Salmo  clarkii)  may  be  described  as  follows: 

Head  4;  depth  4;  D.  10;  A.  10;  coeca  43;  scales  small,  in 
150  to  170  cross  series.  Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  rather 
short;  mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  not  reaching  far  beyond 
the  eye;  vomerine  teeth  as  usual  set  in  an  irregular  zig-zag  series; 
teeth  on  the  hyoid  bone  normally  present,  but  often  obsolete 
in  old  examples;  dorsal  fin  rather  low;  caudal  fin  slightly  forked 
(more  so  in  the  young).  Colour,  silvery  olivaceous,  often  dark 
steel  colour;  back,  upper  part  of  side  and  caudal  peduncle  pro- 
fusely covered  with  rounded  black  spots  of  varying  sizes  and 
shapes,  these  spots  often  on  the  head,  and  sometimes  extending 
on  the  belly;  dorsal,  adipose,  and  caudal  fins  covered  with  sim- 
ilar spots  about  as  large  as  the  nostril;  inner  edge  of  the  man- 
dible with  a  deep-red  blotch,  which  is  a  diagnostic  mark;  middle 

178 


;The  Yellowstone  Trout 

of  side  usually  with  a  diffuse  pale  rosy  wash,  this  sometimes 
quite  bright,  and  extending  on  to  side  of  head;  under  parts  silvery 
white.  The  red  blotches  or  washing  on  the  membrane  joining 
the  dentary  bones  of  the  lower  jaw  are  usually  constant,  prob- 
ably always  present  in  the  adult,  and  constitute  a  most  important 
character. 

This  species  has  been  called  Salmo  mykiss  in  various  publi- 
cations by  the  writers  and  others,  but  the  true  Salmo  mykiss  is 
allied  to  Salmo  salar,  and  has  never  been  taken  outside  of 
Kamchatka. 


Yellowstone  Trout 

Salmo  lewisi  (Girard) 

The  Yellowstone  or  Lewis  trout  inhabits  the  Snake  River  basin 
above  Shoshone  Falls,  and  the  headwaters  of  the  Missouri.  It  is 
abundant  throughout  this  whole  region  in  all  accessible  waters, 
and  is  particularly  numerous  in  Yellowstone  Lake.  As  already 
stated  the  trout  of  Yellowstone  Lake  certainly  came  ^into  the 
Missouri  basin  by  way  of  Two-Ocean  Pass  from  the  Upper  Snake 
River  basin.  One  of  the  present  writers  has  caught  them  in  the 
very  act  of  going  over  Two- Ocean  Pass  from  Pacific  into  Atlantic 
drainage.  The  trout  on  the  two  sides  of  the  pass  cannot  be 
separated,  and  constitute  a  single  species. 

Silver  Trout 

Salmo  gibbsii  Suckley 

In  the  tributaries  of  the  Columbia,  between  Shoshone  Falls 
and  the  Cascades,  in  the  lakes  and  larger  streams,  there  is  a  trout 
which  may  be  called  the  silver  trout.  It  is  particularly  common 
in  the  Des  Chutes  River,  and  in  the  Payette  Lakes  in  Idaho. 
Examples  about  15  inches  long  taken  in  Big  Payette  Lake,  Septem- 
ber 27,  had  the  spots  small,  half  circles,  few  below  middle  of  side; 
rosy  wash  on  side  and  opercles,  brightest  in  the  male;  scarcely 
any  red  on  throat;  belly  silvery,  back  dark-greenish;  scales  about  140 
to  145.  On  this  date,  while  sailing  across  this  lake,  trout  could  be 

179 


Lake   Tahoe   Trout;    Truckee   Trout;    "Pogy;"    "Snipe" 

seen  jumping  in  various  places;  usually  as  many  as  15  or  20 
could  be  seen  at  any  moment.  They  would  take  the  trolling-spoon 
readily,  and  proved  very  gamy  fish. 


Lake  Tahoe  Trout;  Truckee  Trout;  "Pogy"; 

"Snipe" 

Salmo  henshawi  Gill  &  Jordan 

This  interesting  trout  is  found  in  western  Nevada  and  neigh- 
bouring parts  of  California  in  the  region  comprised  in  the  basin  of 
the  old  post-Tertiary  Lake  Lahontan.  It  is  known  from  Lakes  Tahoe, 
Pyramid,  Webber,  Donner  and  Independence;  also  from  the 
Truckee,  Humboldt  and  Carson  rivers,  and  from  most  streams  on 
the  east  slope  of  the  Sierras.  It  is  also  found  in  the  head- 
waters of  the  Feather  River,  where  it  has  probably  been  introduced. 

The  Tahoe  trout  reaches  a  weight  of  3  to  6  pounds, 
is  a  food  and  game  fish  of  considerable  importance,  and  is  often 
seen  in  the  San  Francisco  markets.  It  spawns  in  the  spring, 
entering  the  shallow  water  of  the  streams  for  that  purpose. 

Head  3!;  depth  4;  D.  1 1 ;  A.  12;  scales  2710  37-160  to  184- 
27  to  37,  usually  about  170  in  a  longitudinal  series;  caudal  fin 
short,  rather  strongly  forked.  Colour,  dark  green  in  the  pure 
waters  of  Lake  Tahoe;  pale  green  in  the  salty  waters  of  Pyramid 
Lake;  side  silvery,  with  a  strong  shade  of  coppery  red;  back 
about  equally  spotted  before  and  behind,  the  spots  large  and 
mostly  round;  spots  on  side  rather  distant;  belly  generally  with 
round  spots;  head  with  large  black  spots  above,  some  even  on 
snout  and  lower  jaw;  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  spotted;  a  few  large 
spots  on  anal;  red  dashes  on  lower  jaw  present;  young  less 
spotted. 

180 


Silver  Trout  of  Lake  Taboe 

i 

Silver  Trout  of  Lake  Tahoe 

Salmo  tahoensis  Jordan  &  Evermann 

In  the  deep  waters  of  Lake  Tahoe  is  found  a  trout  of  im- 
mense size,  known  to  the  anglers  who  are  familiar  with  that 
lake  as  the  silver  trout.  So  far  as  known  this  trout  is  never 
seen  in  the  shallow  water,  but  remains  at  considerable  depths, 
and  spawns  in  the  lake  itself.  It  is  a  large,  robust  fish,  profusely 
spotted,  the  spots  often  oblong,  and  the  general  colouration  more 
silvery  than  in  the  ordinary  Tahoe  trout.  An  example,  the  type 
of  the  species,  2  feet  4  inches  long,  and  weighing  7^  pounds, 
caught  by  Mr.  A.  J.  Bay  ley,  presented  the  following  characters. 

Head  4TV;  depth  3$;  eye  yf;  D.  9;  A.  12;  Br.  10;  scales  33- 
205-40,  140  pores;  P.  if;  maxillary  if.  Body  very  robust,  com- 
pressed, unusually  deep  for  a  trout,  the  outline  elliptical;  head 
large;  eye  small,  silvery;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  well 
beyond  the  eye;  scales  small,  reduced  above  and  below;  caudal  fin 
slightly  lunate,  almost  truncate  when  spread.  Colour,  dark  green 
above;  belly  silvery;  side  with  a  broad,  coppery  shade  covering 
cheek  and  opercles;  sides  of  lower  jaw  yellowish;  fins  olivaceous, 
a  little  reddish  below;  orange  dashes  between  rami  of  lower  jaw 
moderately  conspicuous;  back,  from  tip  of  snout  to  tail,  closely 
covered  with  large,  unequal  black  spots,  those  on  nape  and  top 
of  head  round;  posteriorly  the  spots  run  together,  forming  vari- 
ously shaped  markings,  usually  vertically  oblong,  which  may  be 
regarded  as  formed  of  3  or  4  spots  placed  in  a  series,  or  with 
i  or  2  at  the  side  of  the  other,  the  longest  of  these  oblong 
markings  being  not  quite  as  long  as  the  eye;  spots  on  side  of 
head  and  body  very  sparse,  those  on  head  round,  those  behind 
vertically  oblong;  belly  profusely  covered  with  small  black  spots 
which  are  nearly  round;  still  smaller  round  spots  numerous  on 
lower  jaw;  spots  on  caudal  peduncle  vertically  oblong  or  curved; 
dorsal  and  caudal  densely  covered  with  oblong  spots,  smaller 
than  those  on  body;  anal  with  rather  numerous  round  spots; 
pectorals  and  ventrals  with  a  few  small  spots,  the  first  ray  of 
each  with  a  series  of  small,  faint  spots;  adipose  fin  spotted. 


iSr 


The   Utah  Trout 


Utah  Trout 

Salmo  virginalis  (Girard) 

In  all  suitable  streams  and  lakes  of  the  old  Lake  Bonneville 
basin,  of  which  the  waters  of  the  Great  Basin  are  the  present 
vanishing  remnants,  is  found  a  trout  which  is  profusely  and  finely 
spotted,  the  spots  being  numerous  anteriorly  as  well  as  poste- 
riorly; scales  a  little  larger  than  usual,  in  140  to  150  lengthwise 
series,  and  anteriorly  less  crowded  than  in  the  trout  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  or  in  the  green-backed  trout.  In  partly  alkaline  waters, 
such  as  in  Utah  Lake,  this  trout  reaches  a  very  large  size,  ex- 
amples of  8  to  12  pounds  being  not  uncommon.  In  these  waters 
it  is  very  pale  in  colour,  the  dark  spots  being  few  and  small, 
and  mostly  confined  to  the  back. 

The  Utah  trout  is  found  in  the  streams  and  lakes  of 
Utah  west  of  the  Wasatch  Mountains,  especially  in  Bear,  Provo, 
Jordan  and  Sevier  rivers,  and  in  Utah  Lake,  where  it  is  a  very 
abundant  and  important  food-fish. 

Jordan's  Trout ;  Spotted   Trout   of   Lake 
Southerland 

Salmo  jordani  Meek 

In  Lake  Southerland,  west  of  Puget  Sound,  is  found  a  black- 
spotted  trout  of  the  cut-throat  series  which,  in  colour,  seems  to 
resemble  the  Utah  trout.  It  is,  according  to  Professor  D.  G. 
Elliot,  a  "beautiful  and  exceedingly  gamy  trout,  taking  the  fly 
readily  even  as  late  as  October,  a  great  leaper  when  hooked, 
and  fights  d  I'outrance.  In  appearance  it  resembles  Salmo 

182 


Long-headed  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

gairdneri  crescentis  of  the  neighbouring  lake,  being  fully  as  bril- 
liantly coloured,  but  can  be  at  once  distinguished  by  its  orange 
or  orange-red  fins,  red  on  the  jaw,  the  number  and  blackness  of 
its  spots,  and  the  darker  back  and  top  of  head.  At  no  stage 
of  its  existence  that  I  have  seen,  from  fmgerlings  to  fish  weigh- 
ing over  4  pounds,  is  there  any  silvery  lustre,  but  the  colours 
are  all  bright-hued,  some  even  metallic.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
attractive  of  its  tribe,  and  I  have  had  them  leap  after  taking  the 
fly,  in  such  rapid  succession  and  with  such  darlings  about  the 
lake,  that  it  was  impossible  to  imagine  where  they  would  next 
appear.  I  believe  it  spawns  in  the  spring,  as  in  the  middle  of 
October,  the  eggs  of  the  females  we  caught  were  not  enlarged, 
and  showed  no  indication  of  the  approach  of  the  spawning  season." 

Head  3^;  depth  4!;  eye  5f;  snout  4^-;  maxillary  if;  scales 
146;  D.  10;  A.  ii ;  Br.  10  or  n.  Body  elongate,  not  much  com- 
pressed; head  short,  maxillary  not  extending  far  beyond  orbit; 
origin  of  dorsal  fin  midway  between  \ip  of  snout  and  base  of 
caudal. 


Long-headed  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

Salmo  bathoecetor  Meek 

According  to  Professor  Elliot,  who  collected  the  type  of  this 
species,  this  is  a  deepwater  fish,  keeping  always  near  the  bot- 
tom, never  coming  to  the  surface  at  any  time,  and,  of  course, 
not  taking  the  fly,  or  indeed  the  spoon,  or  any  kind  of  lure.  The 
only  way  it  can  be  captured  is  by  the  set-lines  sunk  within  a  foot 
of  the  bottom,  and  it  seems  there  are  only  a  few  places  in  the 
lake  where  it  can  be  caught  even  by  this  means.  It  is  a  brightly 
coloured  fish,  but  lacks  some  of  the  iridescence  of  the  speckled 
trout  of  Crescent  Lake,  which  it  otherwise  resembles. 

Head  i\  to  3^;  depth  5^  to  5! ;  eye  6f  to  7!;  snout  j\\ 
maxillary  if;  D.  10;  A.  n;  scales  150  to  152;  gillrakers  7  or 
8+ 1 1  to  13;  Br.  9  to  n.  Body  slender,  head  much  pointed; 
maxillary  very  long  and  very  slender,  reaching  considerably  beyond 
orbit;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines  large,  the  dentition 
strong;  mandible  very  strong;  gillrakers  short  and  thick.  Colour, 
much  as  in  the  speckled  trout  of  Crescent  Lake,  but  lighter;  head, 

183 


Salmon  Trout  of  Lake   Southerland 

body  and  tail  profusely  spotted  with  black;  ventrals  and  pectorals 
dark;  no  red  on  lower  jaw. 

This  trout  differs  from  Salmo  crescentis  in  being  more 
slender,  in  having  the  back  much  less  elevated,  the  head  more 
slender  and  pointed,  the  gillrakers  shorter,  and  the  maxillary 
straighter,  narrower  and  longer. 

It  is  probably  more  closely  related  to  the  steelhead  trout  series 
than  to  the  cut-throat  series,  and  perhaps  should  be  placed  as  a 
subspecies  of  Salmo  gairdneri. 

Salmon  Trout  of  Lake  Southerland 

Salmo  declivifrons   Meek 

The  general  colour  of  this  trout  closely  resembles  that  of  the 
blueback  trout  of  Crescent  Lake.  It  is,  however,  some  darker, 
and  has  no  spots  except  on  the  caudal  fin.  The  upper  ante- 
rior profile  is  also  much  more  curved. 

Head  3^;  depth  4f;  eye  5|;  snout  4|;  maxillary  if;  scales 
148;  D.  10;  A.  n;  Br.  10;  gillrakers  7+10.  Body  elongate,  back 
elevated,  anterior  profile  much  decurved;  tip  of  snout  below  axis 
of  body;  gape  nearly  horizontal,  more  so  than  in  other  trout;  max- 
illary reaching  beyond  eye;  dentition  strong.  Colour,  dark  blue 
above  and  on  side  to  lateral  line  posteriorly,  becoming  abruptly 
silvery;  belly  nearly  white;  no  spots  on  head  or  body  or  elsewhere 
except  few  on  caudal  fin;  upper  margin  of  lower  jaw  black,  a 
dark  blue  patch  on  cheek,  extending  obliquely  upward  and 
backward  to  near  upper  edge  of  opercle;  pectorals,  ventrals  and 
anal  yellowish. 

Known  only  from  Lake  Southerland  where  it  is  occasionally 
taken  and  where  it  is  called  "Salmon  trout,"  according  to  Profes- 
sor Elliot,  who  collected  the  type.  He  says,  "it  is  easily  recog- 
nizable, not  only  by  the  sharply  curved  upper  outline  of  the 
fore  part  of  the  body,  but  also  by  its  quite  different  style  of 
colouration,  which  resembles  somewhat  that  of  the  blueback  of 
Lake  Crescent. 

"As  there  is  no  water  connection  between  these  2  lakes,  and 
Lake  Southerland  is  75  feet  lower  than  Crescent  Lake,  and, 
moreover,  the  fish  of  that  lake  having  no  communication  with 
the  sea  on  account  of  a  very  high  precipitous  fall  a  short  dis- 
tance from  its  outlet,  it  cannot  be  supposed  that  these  two 

184 


Rio  Grande  Trout 

forms  are  in  any  way  identical.  Out  of  a  large  number  of  trout 
caught  by  me  in  Lake  Southerland  only  2  or  3  of  this  form  were 
procured,  and  they  were  all  of  small  size.  This  could  not  be 
the  fault  of  the  lake,  which  is  exceedingly  deep  and  nearly  3 
miles  in  length.  It  is  a  gamy  fish,  takes  the  fly,  leaps  out  of  the 
water,  and  is  a  good  fighter  for  its  size."  It  reaches  a  length  of 
10  inches. 


Rio  Grande  Trout 

Salmo  spilurus  (Cope) 

This  trout  is  known  only  from  the  upper  Rio  Grande  basin 
and  southward  into  the  mountains  of  Chihuahua.  It  is  abundant 
in  most  mountain  streams,  but  irrigation  operations  in  Colorado 
and  New  Mexico  have  proved  very  destructive  to  it  on  account 
of  the  small  fish  running  up  the  ditches  and  out  upon  the  fields 
where  they  perish.  Del  Norte  and  Wagonwheel  Gap,  Colorado, 
used  to  afford  excellent  trout  fishing.  The  trout  were  abundant, 
of  good  size  (2  to  z\  feet),  and  were  very  gamy. 

Head  3^;  depth  4;  D.  n;  A.  10;  scales  37-160-37.  Head 
rather  short,  its  upper  surface  considerably  decurved;  interorbital 
space  transversely  convex,  obtusely  carinated,  the  head  more 
convex  than  in  any  other  species;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching 
past  eye;  teeth  on  vomer  in  2  distinct  series;  dorsal  fin  low  in 
front,  high  behind,  the  last  ray  more  than  f  height  of  first;  last 
ray  of  anal  rather  long;  caudal  witi.  its  middle  rays  about  as 
long  as  the  others.  Colour,  back  ana  sides  profusely  covered 
with  round  black  spots,  most  developed  posteriorly,  few  on  the 

185 


Colorado  River  Trout 


head,  most  numerous  on  the  caudal  and  adipose  fins;  side  with 
pale  blotches.  Very  much  resembling  the  Colorado  River  trout 
except  that  the  scales  are  considerably  larger  and  less  crowded 
anteriorly. 


Colorado  River  Trout 

Salmo  pleuriticus  (Cope) 

In  all  the  headwaters  of  the  Colorado  is  found  another  re- 
presentative of  the  cut-throat  trout  series.  It  is  abundant  through- 
out western  Colorado  and  in  all  clear  mountain  streams  in  Arizona. 
It  is  common  in  the  Eagle  and  Gunnison  where  it  reaches  a 
good  size  and  is  a  game-fish  of  very  high  rank. 

Opercle  short,  4f  to  5  in  head;  scales  small,  185  to  190  in 
lateral  line.  Close  to  typical  Salmo  clarkii,  but  the  black  spots 
gathered  chiefly  on  posterior  part  of  body,  the  head  being  nearly 
immaculate.  The  colour  is  extremely  variable,  but  the  lower 
fins  are  usually  red,  sometimes  orange;  usually  a  red  lateral 
band.  A  large,  handsome  and  variable  trout,  sometimes  profusely 
speckled,  sometimes  with  large  spots,  and  occasionally  with 
strong  golden  shades. 


1 86 


Waha  Lake  Trout 


Waha  Lake  Trout 

Salmo  bouvieri  (Bendire) 

This  curious  and  interesting  trout  is  known  only  from  Waha 
Lake,  Idaho,  a  small  mountain  lake  without  any  present  surface 
outlet. 

These  trout  reach  a  weight  of  3  pounds  though  examples  of 
that  size  are  not  often  seen.  The  usual  size  is  6  to  7  inches. 
They  do  not  take  the  fly  well  until  the  middle  of  the  summer, 
,as  the  water  of  Waha  Lake  is  uncommonly  cold.  Then  they 
rise  readily  and  are  as  game  as  most  lake  trout.  The  food- 
quality  of  this  trout  is  said  to  be  unsurpassed.  Professor  J.  M. 
Aldrich,  of  Moscow,  Idaho,  who  has  had  much  experience  with 
the  Waha  trout,  speaks  in  the  highest  praise  as  to  its  delicacy 
and  delicious  flavour. 

Head  4;  depth  4§;  eye  4;  D.  10;  A.  n;  Br.  12;  scales  173; 
maxillary  2\.  Similar  to  typical  Salmo  clarkii,  but  with  dark 
spots  only  on  the  dorsal,  caudal  and  adipose  fins,  and  on  the 
caudal  peduncle  behind .  front  of  anal,  where  the  spots  are  very 
profuse,  smaller  than  the  pupil;  anterior  regions  dusky-bluish,  not 
silvery;  red  blotch  on  throat  very  conspicuous;  head  shorter  and 
deeper  than  in  the  typical  cut-throat  trout,  the  snout  shorter  and 
blunter,  not  longer  than  the  eye;  opercle  and  preopercle  less  convex; 
caudal  moderately  forked. 


187 


Green-back  Trout 


Green-back    Trout 

Salmo  stomias  (Cope) 

This  trout  is  known  only  from  the  headwaters  of  the  Platte  and 
Arkansas  rivers  and  is  abundant  chiefly  in  the  smaller  streams  and 
brooks  and  in  the  shallow  waters  of  lakes.  It  is  the  common 
species  in  Twin  Lakes,  Colorado  and  in  the  waters  about  Leadville. 

It  is  a  small,  black-spotted  trout,  not  often  exceeding  a  pound  in 
weight,  closely  resembling  the  typical  cut-throat  trout,  but  differing 
chiefly  in  the  much  greater  size  of  its  black  spots  which  are  mainly 
gathered  on  the  posterior  half  of  the  body.  Mouth  small;  scales 
small,  about  180;  back  deep  green,  sides  sometimes  red;  flesh  deep 
salmon  coloured. 


Yellow-fin  Trout 

Salmo  macdonaldi  Jordan  &  Evermann 

This    interesting    and    beautiful   trout    is    known    only    from 
Twin  Lakes,  Colorado,  where  it  occurs  in  company  with  the  green- 

188 


Yellow- fin  Trout 

back  trout.  The  2  are  entirely  distinct,  the  size,  colouration  and 
habits  being  notably  different. 

The  yellow-fin  reaches  a  weight  of  8  or  9  pounds  while  the  other 
rarely  exceeds  a  pound.  The  former  lives  on  gravel  bottom  in  water 
of  some  depth  while  the  latter  is  a  shallow-water  trout  running  into 
small  brooks.  The  yellow-fin  trout  is  apparently  derived  from  the 
Colorado  River  trout  which  may  be  descended  from  the  Rio 
Grande  trout  which,  in  turn,  is  probably  derived  from  the  green-back 
frout  of  the  Arkansas. 

As  a  game-fish  the  yellow-fin  trout  has  attracted  much  attention 
from  local  anglers  by  whom  it  is  very  highly  regarded.  It  is  taken 
chiefly  by  trolling,  though  it  rises  promptly  to  the  fly  and  is  a  splendid 
fighter. 

Head  4;  depth  4^  to  5;  eye  5$-;  snout  4^;  D.  12;  A.  n;  Br.  10; 
scales  40-184-37,  about  125  pores.  Head  long,  compressed,  the 
snout  moderately  pointed;  mouth  rather  large,  maxillary  if  to  2  in 
head;  hyoid  teeth  present;  scales  small,  irregularly  placed.  Colour, 
light  olive;  a  broad  shade  of  lemon-yellow  along  side;  lower  fins 
bright  yellow:  no  red  anywhere  except  on  throat;  posterior  part  of 
body,  and  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  profusely  covered  with  small  dark 
spots  smaller  than  the  nostril;  head  and  anterior  part  of  body  with 
few  spots  or  none. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES  OF  STEELHEAD   TROUT  SERIES! 

a.  Scales  rather  small,  averaging  150  to  155. 

b.  Sides  bright  silvery,   usually  with  a  broad  flesh-coloured  or  rosy 

lateral  wash,  brightest  on  opercles.     Sea-running  forms,  reach- 
ing a  large  size ; gairdneri,   190 

bb.   No  silvery  or  rosy  anywhere.     Probably  not  sea-running; 

crescentis,   191 

aa.    Scales  larger,  about  130  to  145. 

c.  Sides  very  silvery  and   bright  silvery  below;    a  broad   band   of 

bright  light  rose  colour;  spots  few; kamloops,   192 

cc.   Sides  little  silvery;  under  parts  white,  not  silvery;  no  rosy  lateral 
band ; beardsleei,  193 


189 


Steelhead  Trout 


Steel  head  Trout 

Salmo  gairdneri  Richardson 

This  species  is  variously  known  as  the  sleelhead,  steelhead  trout, 
salmon  trout,  and  hardhead.  It  is  found  in  all  coastwise  streams 
from  the  Santa  Ynez  Mountains,  Santa  Barbara  County,  California, 
north  to  British  Columbia  and  probably  to  Sitka.  It  is  especially 
abundant  in  the  lower  Columbia,  ascending  the  Snake  River  as  far  as 
Augur  Falls,  and  the  Pend  d'  Oreille  probably  to  Metaline  Falls. 

It  is  more  or  less  common  in  all  the  shorter  coastal  streams  and  is 
said  to  be  abundant  in  the  Russian  and  Klamath  rivers. 

The  steelhead  is  more  or  less  anadromous  in  its  habits,  being 
migratory  like  the  salmon,  and  ascending  rivers  fully  as  far. 

The  spawning  season  of  the  steelhead  seems  to  be  a  prolonged 
one  and  varying  greatly  with  the  locality.  In  the  headwaters  of 
Salmon  River,  Idaho,  where  there  are  important  spawning  beds, 
spawning  takes  place  in  May  and  early  June.  In  Payette  River  they 
spawn  a  fortnight  earlier,  and  in  the  shorter  tributaries  of  Snake  River 
from  April  15  to  May  10.  Still  lower  down  the  Columbia  basin  they 
probably  spawn  increasingly  earlier.  Of  4, 179  steelheads  examined 
during  the  last  week  in  September,  and  the  first  half  of  October, 
at  The  Dalles,  Oregon,  1,531  were  males  and  2,648  females;  476  males 
and  900  females  were  well  developed,  and  probably  would  have 
spawned  in  4  to  6  weeks.  The  remaining  2803  apparently  would  not 
have  spawned  until  the  next  spring. 

The  run  of  steelheads  in  the  lower  Columbia  is  heaviest  from 
August  to  November.  They  reach  the  Sawtooth  Mountains  early  in 
May  and  the  headwaters  of  Payette  River  early  in  April;  while  they 
reach  that  portion  of  Snake  River  between  Weiser  and  Lower  Salmon 
Falls  early  in  September  and  remain  until  spring  before  they  spawn. 

IQO 


Speckled  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

In  the  streams  tributary  to  the  northern  portion  of  Puget  Sound  they 
arrive  in  September  and  October  while  they  do  not  usually  appear  in 
numbers  about  Seattle  until  2  months  later. 

-  The  steelhead  is  a  large  and  very  important  food-fish.  The 
average  size  of  those  reaching  the  Sawtooth  Mountains  is  about  8 
pounds,  the  extremes  being  2  and  14  pounds.  The  maximum  weight 
of  the  species  is  probably  about  20  pounds,  and  in  streams  where  it 
is  resident  it  does  not  usually  exceed  5  or  6  pounds.  Unlike  the 
Pacific  salmon  the  steelhead  does  not  die  after  once  spawning, 
though  some  individuals  probably  do.  Except  during  a  period  follow- 
ing the  spawning  season,  the  steelhead  ranks  as  one  of  the  very  best 
of  food-fishes.  Great  quantities  are  taken  every  year  in  the  Columbia 
and  either  canned  or  sold  fresh.  The  shipments  of  steelhead 
trout  to  the  East  have  rapidly  increased  during  recent  years  until 
they  are  now  very  large. 

The  steelhead  ranks  very  high  as  a  game-fish  and  trolling  for 
steelheads   in   the  bays,  sounds  and   river-mouths   along  our  Pacific 
Coast  affords  excitement  and  pleasure  exceeded  among  the  Salmonidcet 
only  by  trolling  for  chinook  salmon. 

When  in  fresh  water  the  steelhead  does  not  bite  well  except 
where  it  is  resident,  but  in  waters  in  which  it  is  permanently  resident 
it  takes  the  trolling  spoon  well  and  will  also  rise  to  the  artificial  fly; 
and  its  large  size  and  gameness  make  it  a  fish  much  sought  after  by 
those  who  have  the  opportunity. 

The  steelhead  is  propagated  by  the  United  States  Fish  Com- 
mission with  marked  success.  The  Commission  has  introduced  it 
into  Lake  Superior  and  its  tributary  waters  in  which  it  found  a 
congenial  home  and  in  which  catches  of  some  very  large  steelheads 
have  been  recently  made. 

Speckled  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

Salmo  crescentis  Jordan  &  Beardslee 

In  Crescent  Lake,  Clallam  County,  Washington,  is  a  trout 
which  has  been  regarded  as  a  subspecies  of  the  steelhead.  It 
reaches  a  length  of  27  inches  or  more,  and  a  weight  of  8  or 
10  pounds,  and  is  regarded  as  an  excellent  game-fish. 

It  is  very  close  to  the  steelhead,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly 
in  colour,  which,  in  alcohol,  is  very  dark  steel-blue  above,  be- 

I  IQI 


Kamloops  Trout ;    Stit-tse 

coming  paler  below,  and  nearly  white  on  belly  anteriorly  where 
only  the  margins  of  the  scales  are  punctate;  no  silvery  anywhere; 
lower  jaw  dusky;  a  large  black  blotch  on  cheek  between  sub- 
orbital  and  premaxillary;  sides,  top  of  head,  back,  and  dorsal  and 
caudal  fins  with  few  small  dark  spots;  pectorals  dusky,  slightly 
spotted  at  base;  anal  somewhat  dusky,  without  spots;  ventrals 
dusky  with  a  few  spots  in  the  middle;  adipose  fin  with  a  few 
spots;  lower  fins  all  tipped  with  paler,  probably  yellowish  red  in 
life;  spots  all  very  small  and  not  confined  to  posterior  part  of 
body. 

Kamloops  Trout  ;  Stit-tse 

Salmo  kamloops  Jordan 

This  is  an  interesting  trout  found  in  Kamloops,  Okanogan, 
Kootenai  and  other  lakes  tributary  to  the  Fraser  and  upper 
Columbia 'rivers.  It  is  locally  abundant,  and  is  a  fine  large  trout, 
slender  in  form,  graceful  in  appearance  and  movement,  some- 
what different  from  the  common  steelhead,  but  not  distinguished 
by  any  technical  character  of  importance,  and  probably  intergrading 
fully  with  the  latter.  It  is  said  to  be  a  very  fine  game-fish, 
which  is  taken  chiefly  by  trolling  with  the  spoon. 

Head  4^;  depth  4^-;  D.  1 1 ;  A.  1 1  or  12;  scales  30-135  to  146- 
26,  65  before  the  dorsal;  gillrakers  6-f-n  or  12;  Br.  n  +  n.  Body 
elongate,  somewhat  compressed;  maxillary  extending  beyond  eye, 
its  length  not  quite  half  head;  snout  slightly  rounded  in  profile, 
the  profile  regularly  ascending;  teeth  moderate,  some  of  those  in 
the  outer  row  in  each  jaw  somewhat  enlarged;  opercles  striate, 
not  much  produced  backward;  dorsal  fin  rather  low,  its  longest 
ray  slightly  greater  than  base  of  fin,  if  in  head;  anal  fin  rather 
larger  than  usual  in  trout,  its  outline  slightly  concave,  its  longest 
ray  greater  than  base  of  fin,  and  little  more  than  half  head;  caudal 
fin  rather  broad,  distinctly  forked,  its  outer  rays  about  twice  length 
of  inner;  pectoral  rather  long,  \\  in  head;  ventrals  moderate,  if  in 
head;  gillrakers  comparatively  short  and  few.  Colour,  dark  olive 
above,  bright  silvery  below,  the  silvery  colour  extending  some 
distance  below  the  lateral  line,  where  it  ends  abruptly;  middle  of 
side  with  a  broad  light-rose-colored  band,  covering  about  \ 
total  depth  of  fish;  back  above  with  small  black  spots  about  the 
size  of  pin  heads,  irregularly  scattered,  and  somewhat  more  numer 
ous  posteriorly;  a  few  faint  spots  on  top  of  head;  dorsal  and 


Blueback  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 


caudal  fins  rather  thickly  covered  with  small  black  spots  similar 
to  those  on  back,  but  more  distinct;  a  few  spots  on  adipose  fin 
which  is  edged  with  blackish;  lower  fins  plain;  upper  border  of 
pectoral  dusky;  a  vague  dusky  blotch  on  upper  middle  rays  of 
anal. 


Blueback  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

Salmo  beards leei  Jordan  &  Scale 

One  of  the  most  interesting  trouts,  recently  brought  to  the 
attention  of  anglers  and  ichthyologists  by  Admiral  Beardslee,  is  the 
blueback  or  Beardslee  trout  of  Crescent  Lake.  This  lake  is  in  Clal- 
lam  County,  Washington,  in '  the  northern  part  of  the  Olympic 
Mountains,  700  feet  above  the  sea,  and  the  blueback  trout  is 
known  only  from  it.  This  trout  lives  in  deep  water.  Examples 
caught  by  Admiral  Beardslee  in  October  were  taken  at 
depths  varying  from  30  to  50  feet.  Others  caught  on  April  18 
were  taken  at  a  depth  of  30  to  35  feet,  and  so  far  as  we  have 
learned  it  has  not  been  secured  in  shallow  water.  The  best  sea- 
son for  getting  this  trout  seems  to  be  in  the  spring,  probably 
April  to  June  inclusive,  though  good  catches  have  been  made  in 
October.  It  is  taken  only  by  trolling  with  the  spoon,  or,  at  least, 
chiefly  in  that  way.  They  may  be  taken  by  trolling  with  a 
baited  hook,  a  strip  of  trout  belly  being  the  bait  used.  Probably 
various  other  lures  would  prove  successful.  The  blueback  has  the 
reputation  among  those  who  have  had  the  pleasure  of  catching 
it  of  being  a  very  great  game-fish.  Admiral  Beardslee  says  they 
fight  hard  until  brought  near  the  surface,  when  they  give  up. 
When  landed  they  are  generally  puffed  up  with  air,  a  condition 
following  their  quick  transferrence  from  considerable  depths  to  the 
surface.  Examples  taken  in  the  spring  and  put  in  pools  in  moun- 
tain streams  with  other  trout  died  very  soon,  while  the  others 
lived. 

A  ic-pound  fish  taken  by  Miss  Sara  Beazley,  of  Columbia, 
Missouri,  "made  a  fierce  and  prolonged  fight,  racing  along  with 
the  boat  for  a  long  distance  and  making  several  desperate  and 
out-of-the-water  leaps  and  plunges  to  get  away.  Miss  Beazley 
followed  the  plan  of  rowing  along  slowly,  stopping  rowing 
altogether  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  starting  off  again  slowly. 

193 


Blueback  Trout  of  Crescent  Lake 

Both  large  fish  were  taken  just  as  the  boat  started  up,  after  one 
of  three  brief  stops,  during  which  the  troll  had  gone  down  to  a 
greater  depth  than  when  the  boat  was  in  motion." 

The  blueback  trout  reach  a  large  size.  Four  examples  caught 
by  Admiral  Beardslee  weighed,  6,  n,  1 1|,  and  1 1£  pounds  re- 
spectively. One  taken  by  Miss  Beazley  measured  29!  inches  long 
and  weighed  strong  10  pounds.  Another  caught  by  Mr.  Ben. 
Lewis,  and  forwarded  by  Mr.  M.  J.  Carrigan,  of  Port  Angeles,  to 
Stanford  University,  was  32  inches  long,  and  weighed  14  pounds. 

Head  3f;  depth  about  4;  eye  4f  in  head,  if  in  snout;  snout 
3f;  D.  10;  A.  n;  scales  24-130-20  , about  70  series  in  front  of  dor- 
sal, counting  along  median  line,  or  60  if  rows  along  upper  side 
are  counted;  Br.  n;  gillrakers  8+13,  rather  long  and  slender. 
Head  pointed,  mouth  rather  large,  maxillary  extending  to  posterior 
margin  of  eye,  if  in  head,  with  about  20  teeth;  preorbital  very 
narrow,  the  maxillary  almost  touching  the  orbit;  several  large 
teeth  along  side  of  tongue;  no  hypid  teeth;  teeth  on  vomer  in 
zig-zag  series;  origin  of  dorsal  at  middle  of  length;  origin  of  anal 
midway  between  that  of  dorsal  and  base  of  caudal;  caudal  broad, 
nearly  truncate.  Colour,  on  the  back  a  deep  dark-blue  ultra- 
marine of  a  peculiar  transparency,  dotted  with  small  round  black 
spots  about  the  size  of  a  pin  head;  side  abruptly  brighter,  with 
many  scales  silvery;  lower  parts  white;  sides,  top  of  head,  dor- 
sal, and  caudal  fins  covered  with  very  small  spots;  pectorals  and 
ventrals  nearly  colourless,  without  spots";  adipose  fin  with  2  spots; 
no  red  on  lower  jaw. 

The  flesh  is  light  lemon-colour  before  cooking,  during  which 
process  it  whitens.  It  is  devoid  of  the  oily  salmon  flavour,  and 
is  very  excellent. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES   OF   RAINBOW   TROUT  SERIES: 

a.  Scales   well  imbricated;   upper   ray   of  pectoral   usually  more  or 

less   spotted. 

b.  Scales   comparatively  large,   120  to    150  series. 

c.  Scales   decidely   large,  in    120  to    130   series;  body  elongate;  no 

red  on  throat.  Brook  forms,  mostly  of  small  size;  sea-run 
examples  occasionally  large;  confined  to  streams  of  the 
Coast  Ranges. 

d.  Mouth   moderate.     Coastwise  streams   of  California; 

irideus,  195 
dd.  Mouth  very  small.  Coastwise  streams  of  Oregon  and 

Washington ; masom,  197 

cc.  Scales  medium,  in  about  140  series;  body  rather  deep;  a 

small    dash    of   red    usually    present    on    the    throat.      Size 

194 


', 


VON  BEHR  TROUT.  Sa/wa  farw.     INTRODUCED 


RAINBOW  TROUT.  Sa/»io«r«fejM 


Rainbow  Trout 

medium,  2  to   8   pounds.     Streams  of  the  upper  Sacramento 

basin,  not  running   down   to   sea; shasta,     198 

bb.    Scales   small   in    150  to    185   series.     Size   large. 

e.    Back   profusely   spotted   anteriorly   as  well  as   posteriorly;   some 

red   on   lower  jaw.     Kern   River,  California; gilberti,     201 

ee.    Back   with   the   spots   chiefly  posteriorly ;  no  red  on  lower  jaw. 

Upper  Sacramento  basin ; stonei,     20 1 

aa.   Scales    very    small    and    not    well    imbricated;    upper    ray    of 

pectoral  unspotted ; agua-bonita,    20 1 


Rainbow  Trout 

Salmo    iridens    Gibbons 

In  mountain  streams  of  the  Coast  Ranges  of  the  Pacific  States 
and  on  the  west  slopes  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains  are  found 
the  various  forms  of  trout  which  are  collectively  regarded  as  con- 
stituting the  rainbow  trout  series.  Members  of  this  series  are 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  steelhead  series  by  their  larger 
scales  and,  generally,  by  their  smaller  size  and  brighter  colouration. 
From  the  cut-throat  series  they  differ  in  their  larger  scales,  brighter 
colouration,  and,  usually,  in  the  absence  of  red  on  the  throat. 
As  already  stated,  however,  in  some  parts  of  their  range  these 
series  are  inextricably  mixed,  and  present  classifications  can  be 
regarded  only  as  provisional. 

The  typical  rainbow  trout  (Salmo  irideus)  is  found  only 
in  the  small  brooks  of  the  Coast  ranges  in  California,  from 
the  Klamath  River  to  the  San  Luis  Ray  in  San  Diego  County. 
It  is  subject  to  large  local  variations,  some  of  these  land-locked 
in  peculiar  brooks,  as  in  Purissima  Creek  in  San  Mateo  County, 

195 


Rainbow  Trout 

where    the    individuals    are    small    and     brightly     coloured,    and 
popularly   regarded   as   a   distinct  species. 

It  is  thought  by  some  anglers  that  the  young  fish  hatched 
in  the  brooks  from  eggs  of  the  steelhead  remain  in  mountain 
streams  from  6  to  36  months,  going  down  to  the  sea  with  the  high 
waters  of  spring,  after  which  they  return  to  spawn  as  typical 
steelhead  trout.  Those  which  are  land-locked,  or  which  do  not 
descend,  remain  rainbows  all  their  lives.  As  against  this  view  we 
have  the  fact  that  to  the  northward  the  rainbow  and  the  steelhead 
are  always  distinguishable,  and  the  scales  in  the  latter  are  always 
smaller  than  in  typical  rainbow  trout. 

Salmo  irideus  reaches  a  weight  of  a  half  pound  to  5  or  6 
pounds,  though  in  most  of  the  streams  in  which  it  is  found  it 
rarely  exceeds  2  or  3  pounds.  By  many  anglers  it  is  regarded 
as  the  greatest  of  all  game-fishes.  The  consensus  of  opinion 
among  anglers,  however,  involves  and  is  based  upon  experience 
not  only  with  typical  irideus  but  with  most  others  of  the  rainbow 
series  as  well.  While  this  is  true,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  typical 
irideus  is  a  trout  of  exceeding  gameness  and  is  possibly  a 
greater  fighter  than  any  other  of  the  group,  when  its  weight  is 
considered. 

But  the  various  forms  of  rainbow  trout,  wherever  found,  may 
safely  be  said  to  have  few,  if  any,  equals  among  the  Salmonidce. 

In  beauty  of  colour,  gracefulness  of  form  and  movement, 
sprightliness  when  in  the  water,  reckless  dash  with  which  it 
springs  from  the  water  to  meet  the  descending  fly  ere  it  strikes 
the  surface,  and  the  mad  and  repeated  leaps  from  the  water 
when  hooked,  the  rainbow  trout  must  ever  hold  a  very  high 
rank.  The  gamest  fish  we  have  ever  seen  was  a  1 6-inch  rainbow 
taken  on  a  fly  in  a  small  spring  branch  tributary  of  Williamson 
River  in  southern  Oregon.  It  was  in  a  broad  and  deep  pool  of 
exceedingly  clear  water.  As  the  angler  from  behind  a  clump  of 
willows  made  the  cast  the  trout  bounded  from  the  water  and  met 
the  fly  in  the  air  a  foot  or  more  above  the  surface;  missing  it  he 
dropped  upon  the  water  only  to  turn  about  and  strike  viciously 
a  second  time  at  the  fly  just  as  it  touched  the  surface;  though 
he  again  missed  the  fly  the  hook  caught  him  in  the  lower  jaw 
from  the  outside,  and  then  began  a  fight  which  would  delight 
the  heart  of  any  angler.  His  first  effort  was  to  reach  the  bot- 
tom of  the  pool,  then,  doubling  upon  the  line,  he  made  3  jumps 

iq6 


Western  Oregon  Brook  Trout 

from  the  water  in  quick  succession,  clearing  the  surface  in  each 
instance  from  I  to  4  feet,  and  every  time  doing  his  utmost  to  free 
himself  from  the  hook  by  shaking  his  head  as  vigorously  as  a  dog 
shakes  a  rat.  Then  he  would  rush  wildly  about  in  the  large  pool, 
now  attempting  to  go  down  over  the  riffle  below  the  pool,  now 
trying  the  opposite  direction,  and  often  striving  to  hide  under  one 
or  the  other  of  the  banks.  It  was  easy  to  handle  the  fish  when 
the  dash  was  made  up  or  down  stream  or  for  the  opposite  side, 
but  when  he  turned  about  and  made  a  rush  for  the  protection 
of  the  overhanging  bank  upon  which  the  angler  stood,  it  was 
not  easy  to  keep  the  line  taut.  Movements  such  as  these  were 
frequently  repeated  and  2  more  leaps  were  made.  But  finally 
he  was  worn  out  after  as  honest  a  fight  as  trout  ever  made. 

The  rainbow  takes  the  fly  so  readily  that  there  is  no  reason 
for  resorting  to  grasshoppers,  salmon-eggs  or  other  bait.  It  is  a 
fish  whose  gameness  will  satisfy  the  most  exacting  of  expert 
anglers  and  whose  readiness  to  take  any  proper  lure  will  please 
the  most  impatient  of  inexperienced  amateurs. 

Western   Oregon   Brook  Trout 

Salmo  masoni  (Suckley) 

The  common  brook  trout  of  the  tributaries  of  the  lower 
Columbia  and  of  coastwise  streams  of  Oregon  and  Washington 
is  very  similar  to  the  typical  irideus  and  is  readily  distinguished 
from  its  associates,  the  steelhead  and  the  cut-throat,  by  its  larger 
scales.  Compared  with  the  cut-throat,  it  is  less  slender,  the 
snout  is  more  rounded,  there  is  no  red  between  the  branches 
of  the  lower  jaw,  there  are  no  hyoid  teeth,  the  maxillary  is 
broader  and  shorter,  the  opercle  more  evenly  convex,  there  are 
fewer  spots  below  the  lateral  line,  and  the  red  markings  on 
the  sides  usually  coalesce  to  form  a  red  lateral  band;  scales  120 
to  130.  Apparently  merging  into  the  ordinary  irideus  south- 
ward, if  indeed,  the  2  forms  are  distinguishable. 

This  trout  rarely  weighs  more  than  a  pound.  It  is  found 
from  Puget  Sound  to  southern  Oregon  in  streams  of  the  Coast 
Range,  and  is  locally  abundant. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  type  of  this  gamy  little  trout 
was  caught  by  George  B.  McClellan.  In  describing  it  Dr.  Suckley 
says:  "I  obtained  this  species  at  the  Cathlapootl  River,  August 

197 


McCloud  River    Rainbow  Trout 

2,  1853,  and  am  indebted  for  it  to  the  skill  of  Capt.  Geo.  B. 
McClellan,  as  he  took  it  with  the  artificial  fly  at  a  time  when 
they  did  not  readily  bite  at  any  bait." 

McCloud    River   Rainbow   Trout 

Salmo  s  hast  a  (Jordan) 

The  home  of  this  fine  trout  is  in  the  streams  of  the  Sierra 
Nevadas  from  Mount  Shasta  southward,  the  limits  of  its  range 
not  well  known.  It  is  best  known  from  the  McCloud  River 
where  it  has  been  handled  for  many  years  in  the  fish-cultural 
operations  of  the  United  States  Fish  Commission,  this  being,  in 
fact,  the  "rainbow  trout"  of  fish-culturists. 

Through  the  operations  of  the  United  States  Fish  Commis- 
sion this  trout  has  had  its  range  greatly  extended.  It  has  been 
successfully  transplanted  into  many  mountain  streams  in  different 
parts  of  the  United  States  where  it  was  not  previously  found, 
where  it  grows  and  multiplies  rapidly,  as  is  shown  by  the  many 
favourable  reports.  The  best  results,  however,  seem  to  have  been 
obtained  from  the  plants  made  in  Michigan,  Missouri,  Arkansas, 
throughout  the  Alleghany  Mountain  region,  and  in  Colorado  and 
Nevada.  It  was  introduced  into  eastern  waters  in  1880.  It  is 
believed  this  species  will  serve  for  stocking  streams  formerly  in- 
habited by  the  eastern  brook  trout  in  which  the  latter  no  longer 
thrives  owing  to  the  clearing  of  the  lands  about  the  sources  of 
the  streams,  which  has  brought  about  changed  conditions  un- 
favourable to  the  eastern  brook  trout.  The  rainbow  is  adapted 
to  warmer  and  deeper  waters,  and  is  therefore  suited  to  many 
of  the  now  depleted  streams  which  flow  from  the  mountains 
through  cultivated  valleys. 

Rainbow  trout  differ  widely  from  brook  trout  and  other  pug- 
nacious fishes  in  that  they  feed  largely  upon  worms,  larvae, 
crustaceans,  and  the  like,  and  do  not  take  so  readily  to  minnows 
for  food.  They  should  be  planted  in  spring  or  early  summer 
when  their  natural  food  is  abundant.  They  will  then  grow  more 
rapidly  and  become  accustomed  to  life  in  the  stream,  and  when 
worms,  larvae,  etc.,  are  no  longer  to  be  found,  their  experience 
and  size  will  enable  them  to  take  anything  in  the  shape  of  food 
that  may  present  itself.  Fish  hatched  in  December  and  January 
can  be  safely  planted  in  April  or  May. 

198 


McCloud  River  Rainbow  Trout 

The  size  of  the  rainbow  trout  varies  greatly,  depending  upon 
the  volume  and  temperature  of  the  water,  and  the  amount  and 
character  of  the  food-supply.  In  the  streams  of  the  Sierras,  where 
it  is  native,  it  reaches  a  length  of  10  to  30  inches,  and  a  weight 
of  2  to  8  pounds.  The  average  weight  of  those  caught  from 
streams  in  the  East  is  probably  less  than  a  pound,  but  examples 
weighing  6f  pounds  have  been  taken.  In  the  Ozark  region  in 
Missouri  they  are  caught  weighing  5  to  10  pounds.  In  some  of 
the  cold  mountain  streams  of  Colorado  their  average  weight,  is 
but  6  or  8  ounces,  while  in  certain  lakes  in  the  same  State, 
where  the  water  is  moderately  warm,  and  food  is  plentiful,  they 
reach  a  length  of  25  to  28  inches,  and  a  weight  of  12  or  13 
pounds.  In  the  Au  Sable  River  in  Michigan  they  reach  a  weight 
of  5  to  7  pounds.  The  largest  example  ever  produced  in  the  U.  S. 
Fish  Commission  ponds  at  Wytheville,  Virginia,  weighed  6£ 
pounds. 

The  average  growth  of  the  rainbow  trout  under  favourable 
artificial  circumstances  is  as  follows:  One  year  old,  from  f  to  i 
ounce;  2  years  old  from  8  to  10  ounces;  3  years  old  from  I  to  2 
pounds;  4  years  old  from  2  to  3  pounds.  Like  all  other  fishes, 
they  continue  to  grow,  at  least  until  they  are  8  or  10  years  old, 
the  rate  diminishing  with  age.  Some,  of  course,  grow  much 
faster  than  others,  even  under  the  same  circumstances,  but  the  rate 
of  growth,  as  with  all  fishes,  is  largely  a  question  of  tempera- 
ture, food,  and  extent  of  water-area.  In  water  at  60°,  with 
plenty  of  food,  fish  i  or  2  years  old  will  double  their  size 
several  times  in  a  single  season;  while  in  water  at  40°,  with 
limited  food,  the  growth  is  very  slow  indeed. 

The  rainbow,  like  the  brook  trout,  will  live  in  water  with  a 
comparatively  high  temperature  if  it  is  plentiful  and  running  with 
a  strong  current;  but  in  sluggish  water,  even  when  the  temper- 
ature is  considerably  lower,  neither  species  will  do  well.  The 
rainbow,  however,  will  live  in  warmer  water  than  the  brook  trout, 
and  is  often  found  in  streams  where  the  temperature  is  as  high 
as  75°  or  even  85°,  especially  where  there  is  some  shade.  The  water 
of  the  streams  in  which  the  rainbow  is  native,  varies  in  temper- 
ature from  38°  in  winter  to  about  70°  in  summer.  For  hatchery 
purposes  spring  water,  with  a  temperature  from  42°  to  58°,  is 
best. 

The  spawning   season   of  the  rainbow    trout  in   California  ex- 

199 


McCloud  River  Rainbow  Trout 

tends  from  early  February  to  May.  A  curious  change  in  the  season 
has  occurred  with  those  cultivated  in  the  East.  In  Colorado  the 
season  is  from  May  to  July,  while  at  Wytheville  it  extends  from 
early  in  November  to  the  end  of  February. 

The  males  are  good  breeders  at  2  years  old,  but  the  females 
rarely  produce  eggs  until  the  third  season. 

The  number  of  eggs  produced  depends  upon  the  age  and 
size  of  the  fish.  The  maximum  from  3-year-old  fish,  weighing 
£  to  i£  pounds,  is  500  to  800  eggs;  from  6-year-old  fish,  weigh- 
ing 2  to  4  pounds,  it  is  2,500  to  3,000  eggs. 

The  eggs  vary  in  size  from  4^  to  5  eggs  to  the  linear  inrh, 
the  larger  fish  usually  producing  the  larger  eggs. 

All  that  has  been  said  regarding  the  game  qualities  of  the 
typical  rainbow  trout  (Salmo  irideus)  can  be  said  of  the  rainbow 
trout  of  McCloud  River.  It  may  lack  a  little  in  the  wild  gameness 
of  typical  irideus,  but  that  is  made  good  by  its  larger  size. 

There  is,  however,  no  comparison  between  the  rainbow  in 
its  native  California  mountain  streams  and  those  introduced  into 
eastern  waters,  where  the  warmer  temperature  has  enervated 
them,  and  where  they  have  grown  large  and  fat  and  sluggish. 
In  the  cold  waters  of  Colorado,  however,  they  have  lost  none  of 
their  wild  nature  and  superb  game  qualities. 

Head  4;  depth  3$;  eye  5;  D.  n;  A.  n;  scales  20  to  24-145- 
20,  about  65  before  the  dorsal.  Body  comparatively  short  and 
deep,  compressed,  varying  considerably,  and  much  more  elongate 
in  males  than  in  females;  head  short,  convex,  obtusely  ridged 
above;  mouth  smaller  than  in  most  species  of  trout,  the  rather 
broad  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  beyond  the  eye,  except  in  old 
males;  eye  larger  than  in  the  steelhead;  vomerine  teeth  in  2  irreg- 
ular series;  dorsal  fin  moderate;  caudal  fin  distinctly  though  not 
strongly  forked,  more  deeply  incised  than  in  the  typical  cut-throat. 
Colour,  bluish  above,  the  sides  silvery;  everywhere  above  profusely 
but  irregularly  spotted,  the  spots  extending  on  the  sides  at  least 
to  the  lateral  line,  and  covering  the  vertical  fins;  top  of  head 
well  spotted;  fins  usually  not  red;  almost  always  a  light  dash  of 
red  on  throat;  much  red  or  rosy  on  cheek  and  opercles;  belly 
partly  red  in  males;  side  with  a  broad  but  more  or  less  inter- 
rupted red  lateral  band,  brightest  in  males. 


Kern    River   Trout 

Kern   River  Trout 

Salmo    irideus  gilberti   (Jordan) 

The  Kern  River  trout  very  closely  resembles  the  McCloud 
River  rainbow,  but  has  the  scales  smaller,  there  being  as  many 
as  165  transverse  series.  The  body  is  robust,  the  mouth  moderate. 
Its  distinctness  is  doubtful. 

Colour,  back  and  sides  profusely  spotted;  old  examples  with 
more  or  less  orange  on  lower  jaw,  this  faint  or  wanting  in 
the  young;  upper  ray  of  pectoral  spotted. 

This  beautiful  trout  is  known  only  from  Kern  River,  Cali- 
fornia, and  is  abundant  in  the  river  channels  below  the  waters 
inhabited  by  the  golden  trout. 

The  Kern  River  trout  reaches  a  good  size,  examples  weigh- 
ing 8  pounds  having  been  recorded.  It  is  a  voracious  trout, 
biting  freely,  and  fighting  vigorously  and  with  great  persistence. 

Nissuee  Trout;    Noshee  Trout;    Stone's  Trout 

Salmo    iridetis   stonei   (Jordan) 

This  is  a  large,  voracious  trout  of  the  rainbow  series  found 
in  the  upper  Sacramento  basin,  especially  in  the  McCloud  River 
above  Baird.  It  is  much  larger  than  typical  irideus,  and  reaches 
a  weight  of  10  to  12  pounds,  but  is  doubtfully  distinct. 

Depth  4;  A.  ii ;  eye  4^-;  maxillary  about  2;  pectoral  \\\ 
scales  140  to  155,  about  82  before  the  dorsal  where  they  are 
small  and  embedded;  teeth  fewer  and  smaller  than'in  the  Shasta 
trout,  those  on  the  vomer  in  a  single  zig-zag  series.  Colour, 
upper  parts  plain  greenish;  spots  few  and  confined  chiefly  to 
the  posterior  part  of  body;  spots  small  and  sparse  on  dorsal, 
adipose  and  caudal  fins;  a  red  lateral  band  usually  distinct; 
cheek  and  opercles  with  red ;  no  red  on  throat. 

Golden  Trout  of    Mount  Whitney 

Salmo  agua-bonita    (Jordan) 

The  most  beautiful  of  all  our  many  beautiful  western  trout 
is  the  famous  golden  trout  of  Mount  Whitney.  It  is  an  inhabi- 


Golden  Trout  of  Mount    Whitney 

tant  of  small  mountain  streams  on  the  western  slopes  of  Mount 
Whitney,  tributary  to  Kern  River.  It  is  locally  abundant  in  Vol- 
cano Creek  and  the  South  Fork  of  Kern  River.  It  has  also  been 
introduced  into  streams  about  Owen  Lake,  on  the  east  slopes  of 
the  Sierras,  which  were  formerly  without  trout.  The  golden 
trout  has  been  derived  apparently  from  the  Kern  River  trout. 
It  is  a  small  trout,  reaching  a  length  of  only  a  few  inches,  and 
is  remarkable  for  its  unexcelled  gameness  and  its  unsurpassed 
beauty. 

Head  3f;   depth  4^;   eye  4|;  snout  4^;   maxillary  i|;   D.   12; 
A.   10;   scales    160  to    180,    123   pores;  pectoral  i^;  ventral  2;  cau- 
dal   if;    gillrakers    not    very    short,    10+11.      Head    rather    long, 
bluntish   at  tip;   mouth   moderate,  the  maxillary   extending  a   little 
beyond  the   eye;   hyoid  teeth  not  evident;  opercle  moderate;  post- 
orbital  bone  very   small;  scales   very  small,  round,  not  imbricated; 
fins   moderate;  anal   high;   caudal   moderately   emarginate.     Colour, 
olive    above;    sides    and    belly    light  golden,  always  showing  the 
parr   marks  of  immature   trout;   middle  of   side  along    lateral  line 
with    a    deep    scarlet    lateral    stripe,    broadest    under    the    dorsal, 
where    it    is    about    as    wide  as    the   eye,    thence    narrowing    to 
either  end   and    not    reaching  either  the   head   or  the   caudal  fin; 
middle   line   of  belly   with   a  broad    scarlet    band,  extending    from 
chin   to   anal   fin   and   equally   bright   all  the   way;  a  fainter  shade 
along    lower    part  of   side    from    anal    fin    to    tip   of   caudal;   no 
crimson   dash   on   throat,    the  whole   region  uniform  bright  orange; 
opercles    largely    orange;   dark    spots   chiefly   posterior,    large    and 
well   marked,    some  on   tail   and    posterior   part   of   body    as    large 
as  the   pupil,    smaller  but   well   marked   on   the  dorsal  fin;   a   few 
small    spots    scattered    along    anterior    part  of   body  in   some  ex- 
amples,   none    in    front   of   adipose    fin   in   others;    upper    anterior 
angle  of  dorsal  abruptly   yellowish-white,  this   colour  edged   by  a 
dark  oblique  streak   made  by  coalescent   spots,  the  rest  of  the  fin 
light    olive    with  4   or   5    rows    of    small    black    spots;    pectorals 
largely   orange;   ventrals   deep   orange,  with  faint  blackish  tips,  the 
anterior  edge  of  the   fin   conspicuously    and    abruptly    whitish,   as 
in  the  eastern   brook    trout;   anal    dusky    orange,  the  tips  of  the 
last  rays    blackish,  the    outer    anterior    corner  abruptly    white,   the 
white   stripe   wider  than  the   pupil  and   separated   from   the  body 
colour  of  the  fin  by  a  dusky    shade;   caudal    olive,    tinged    with 
orange  on   its  lower  edge,  and   profusely   spotted   with    black;   in- 
side of  mouth  pink,  the  gill-cavity  light  orange. 


202 


GENUS  CRIST WOMER  GILL  &  JORDAN 
The  Great  Lakes  Trouts 

This  genus  contains  only  2  species, — large,  coarse  charrs, 
distinguished  from  Salvelinus  by  the  presence  of  a  raised  crest 
behind  the  head  of  the  vomer  and  free  from  its  shaft.  This  crest 
is  armed  with  teeth,  and  the  hyoid  teeth  form  a  strong,  cardiform 
band. 

The  typical  species  is  a  large  charr  or  trout,  spotted  with 
gray  instead  of  red,  and  found  in  the  larger  lakes  of  northern 
North  America. 

a.  Body  elongate,  covered  with  thin  skin,  there  being  no  special 
development  of  the  fatty  tissue; namaycush,  203 

aa.  Body  deeper,  covered  with  thick  skin,  there  being  an  excessive 
development  of  fatty  tissue ; siscowet,  205 


Great  Lakes  Trout;    Mackinaw  Trout 

Cristivomcr  namaycush  (Walbaum) 

The  namaycush  trout  is  found  in  most  large  lakes  from  New 
Brunswick  and  Maine  westward  throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region 
and  to  Vancouver  Island  thence  northward  to  Northern  Alaska, 
Hudson  Bay  and  Labrador.  It  is  known  from  Henry  Lake  in  Idaho 
and  elsewhere  in  the  headwaters  of  the  Columbia.  It  is  known  also 
from  the  Fraser  River  basin,  from  Vancouver  Island,  and  various 
places  in  Alaska. 


203 


Great  Lakes  Trout ;   Mackinaw  Trout 

In  addition  to  the  vernacular  names  already  mentioned  this 
fish  is  known  by  still  others  in  different  parts  of  its  range.  In 
Vermont  it  is  called  "longe,"  in  Maine  it  is  the  "togue,"  while  among 
the  Canadian  Indians  it  is  the  "  namaycush  "  or  "  masamacush." 

It  is  the  largest  of  all  the  trouts,  reaching  a  length  of  several  feet 
and  a  weight  of  60  to  125  pounds.  The  average  weight  probably 
does  not  exceed  15  or  20  pounds. 

In  the  Great  Lakes  it  is  exceeded  in  weight  only  by  the 
lake  sturgeon. 

The  lake  trout  is  omnivorous  in  its  feeding  habits  and  possesses 
a  ravenous  appetite.  It  greedily  devours  alj  kinds  of  fishes  possessing 
soft  fins,  and  it  is  said  that  jack-knives,  corncobs  and  other  equally 
indigestible  articles  have  been  found  in  its  stomach. 

The  eggs  and  fry  of  the  lake  trout  suffer  from  the  same  enemies 
as  the  young  of  other  fishes,  but  the  mature  fish  are  entirely  too 
formidable  for  other  species  to  prey  upon.  They  are  not  often 
troubled  with  parasites.  Occasionally  individuals,  very  thin  in  flesh 
and  sickly-looking,  known  as  "racers"  by  fishermen  are  found 
swimming  near  the  surface;  no  sufficient  cause  has  been  discovered 
for  this  condition,  as  they  are  no  more  afflicted  with  parasites  than 
healthy  fish. 

The  lake  trout  fisheries  of  the  Great  Lakes  are  exceeded  in 
commercial  importance  only  by  those  of  the  whitefish.  At  one  time 
the  trout  was  so  abundant  that  it  did  not  command  a  price  at  all 
commensurate  with  its  edible  qualities,  but  as  the  catches  decreased 
the  price  went  up,  until  in  1886  it  equalled  that  of  its  more  delicate 
rival.  In  that  year  the  artificial  propagation  of  the  lake  trout  was 
begun  by  the  Federal  and  certain  State  governments.  The  output 
of  the  hatcheries  increased  gradually  until,  in  1895,  that  of  the 
Government  hatchery  at  Northville  alone  amounted  to  over 
11,000,000  eggs;  and  the  species  had  become  so  abundant  in  the 
lakes  in  1896  that  the  fishing  boats  ceased  operations,  the  market 
being  glutted,  and  the  price  obtainable  not  justifying  the  labour 
involved. 

The  method  of  capturing  the  lake  trout  is  by  gillnets,  pound- 
nets,  hook  and  line,  and,  in  winter,  by  spearing  through  the  ice. 

The  majority,  however,  are  taken  by  means  of  gillnets  operated 
by  steam  tugs.  Some  of  these  tugs  carry  5  or  6  miles  of  nets  and 
catch  in  one  lift  from  1,000  pounds  to  4  or  5  tons  of  trout. 


204 


The  Siscowet 

Fishing  is  done  from  the  time  the  ice  breaks  up  in  the  spring  until 
late  in  the  fall. 

Lake  trout  spawn  on  the  reefs  and  live  in  deep  water  at  other 
times.  The  spawning  season  begins  in  Lake  Superior  late  in 
September,  in  Lakes  Huron  and  Michigan  the  height  of  the  season 
is  in  early  November,  and  spawning  continues  into  December. 
The  spawning  grounds  are  on  the  reefs  of  "honeycomb"  rock, 
10  to  15  miles  off  shore,  and  in  water  6  to  120  feet  deep.  The 
number  of  eggs  produced  is  not  large;  a  24-pound  fish  produced 
14,943  eggs,  but  the  usual  number  does  not  exceed  5/000  or  6,000. 

As  a  game-fish  the  lake  trout  is  held  in  different  degrees  of 
esteem  by  different  anglers.  There  are  those  who  regard  it  with 
slight  favour,  while  with  others  it  is  rated  as  a  fish  which  can 
give  the  angler  a  great  deal  ot  sport.  It  is  usually  taken  by  trolling 
either  with  the  spoon  or  live  minnow,  and,  as  it  is  a  powerful 
fish,  strong  tackle  is  required.  Thaddeus  Norris,  most  delightful 
writer  among  American  anglers,  mentions  hooking  several  trout 
on  stout  o  o  Kirby  hooks  baited  with  a  white  rag  and  a  piece  of  red 
flannel,  and  the  hooks  in  every  instance  but  one  (a  small  8  pound 
trout)  were  straightened  or  broken  and  the  fish  lost. 

Head  4^;  depth  4;  eye  4^;  Br.  n  or  12;  D.  1 1 ;  A.  1 1 ;  scales 
185  to  205;  maxillary  2;  interorbital  4.  Body  long;  head  very  long, 
its  upper  surface  flattened;  mouth  very  large,  the  maxillary  extending 
much  beyond  the  eye,  the  head  and  jaws  proportionately  lengthened 
and  pointed;  caudal  fin  well  forked;  adipose  fin  small;  teeth  very 
strong.  General  colouration,  dark  gray,  sometimes  pale,  sometimes 
almost  black,  everywhere  with  rounded  pale  spots  which  are  often 
reddish  tinged;  head  usually  vermiculate  above;  dorsal  and  caudal 
reticulate  with  darker. 

Siscowet 

Cristivomer  siscowet  (Agassiz) 

The  siscowet  differs  from  the  ordinary  Great  Lake  trout  in 
having  a  deeper  body  which  is  covered  with  a  thicker  skin,  beneath 
which  is  an  excessive  development  of  fatty  tissue.  The  scales  are 
somewhat  larger  and  the  colour  is  usually  somewhat  paler. 

This  fish  is  practically  confined  to  Lake  Superior  where  it  is 
abundant  in  deep  water.  Occasional  examples  have  been  taken 
in  Lakes  Huron  and  Erie. 


GENUS  SALl/ELINUS  RICHARDSON 

The  Charrs 

Body  moderately  elongate;  teeth  of  jaws,  palatines,  and  tongue 
essentially  as  in  Salmo,  the  hyoid  patch  present  or  not;  vomer 
.boat-shaped,  the  shaft  much  depressed,  without  raised  crest,  with 
teeth  on  the  head  of  the  bone  but  none  on  the  shaft;  scales  very 
small,  200  to  250  in  a  lengthwise  series;  fins  moderate,  the  caudal 
forked  in  the  young,  truncate  in  some  species  in  the  adult;  sexual 
peculiarities  not  strongly  marked,  the  males  with  the  premaxillaries 
enlarged  and  a  fleshy  projection  at  the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw. 

The  scales  of  the  charrs  are,  in  general,  smaller  than  in  any 
other  Salmonidce,  and  they  are  imbedded  in  the  skin  to  such  a 
degree  as  to  escape  the  notice  of  casual  observers  and  even  of  many 
anglers. 

"One  trout  scale  in  the  scales  I  lay 

(If  trout  had  scales),  and  'twill  outweigh 
The  wrong  side  of  the  balances." — Lowell. 

Colour,  usually  dark,  with  round  crimson  spots/  the  lower  fins 
sometimes  with  marginal  bands  of  black,  reddish,  and  pale. 

Species  numerous  in  the  clear  cold  streams  and  lakes  of  the 
northern  parts  of  both  continents,  sometimes  descending  to  the 
sea  where  they  lose  their  variegated  colours  and  become  nearly 
plain  and  silvery. 

The  members  of  this  genus  are  by  far  the  most  active  and 
handsome  of  the  trout,  living*  only  in  the  clearest,  coldest  and 
most  secluded  waters.  "No  higher  praise  can  be  given  to  a 
Salmonoid  than  to  say  it  is  a  charr." 

As  now  understood  by  most  ichthyologists  this  genus  is  re- 
presented in  America  by  4  species  and  some  6  or  7  subspecies. 
Perhaps  it  is  just  as  well  to  recognize  most,  if  not  all,  of  these 
subspecies  as  full  species.  This  is  certainly  best  in  all  cases 
where  intergrading  has  not  been  proved. 

a.  Back   unspotted,    strongly   marbled   with   dark   olive   or  black. 

b.  Colour,    dark   olive;   side   with   numerous   red   spots; 

fontinalis,   207 

206 


Brook  Trout;   Speckled  Trout 

bb.   Colour,    pale  grayish;    very    few   red  spots; agassi%ti,   210 

aa.    Back  not  marbled   with   darker. 

c.  Back   with   red   or  orange  spots  like  those   on   sides; 

parkei,   210 

cc.    Back  unspotted,   the  red   spots   confined  to  the  sides;   maxil- 
lary  usually   not   reaching  beyond  the  eye. 

d.  Gillrakers   numerous,   6+12  to    16;   head   rather  large,   4  to  4^ 

in  body;  body  rather  stout;  belly  orange  in  breeding  season. 

e.  Gillrakers  longer  and  straighter  than   in  the   next,   f  length  of 

eye,  7+14  in  number; alipes,  212 

ee.  Gillrakers  quite  short,  not  £  length  of  eye,  about  6+12  in 

number; aureplus,  213 

dd.  Gillrakers  fewer,  6+n,  small;  head  small;  4^  to  5  in  length; 

body  slender; oquassa,   217 


Brook  Trout ;    Speckled  Trout 

Salvelinus  fontinalis  (Mitchill) 

"And  when  the  timorous  Trout  I  wait 
To  take,   and   he   devours   my   Bait, 
How  small,    how   poor  a  thing   I   find 
Will  captivate  a  greedy   Mind; 

And  when   none  bite,   the   Wise   I   praise. 

Whom   false   Allurement  ne'er  betrays." 

The  game-fish  which  has  been  most  written  about  and  which 
is,    perhaps,    best  and   most   widely  known   among  the   anglers  of 

207 


Brook  Trout;    Speckled  Trout 

the  world  is  undoubtedly  Salvelinus  fontinalis.  It  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful,  active,  and  widely  distributed  of  American  trouts. 
Its  natural  range  is  from  Maine  to  northern  Georgia  and  Alabama 
in  the  Appalachian  Mountains,  and  westward  through  the  Great 
Lakes  region  to  Minnesota;  and  in  Canada  from  Labrador  to  the 
Saskatchewan.  It  has  been  extensively  introduced  into  many 
waters  in  which  it  was  not  native,  in  the  eastern  and  upper 
Mississippi  Valley  States,  in  the  Pacific  and  Rocky  Mountain 
States,  and  in  many  foreign  countries  as  well. 

With  the  possible  exceptions  of  the  rainbow  and  steelhead 
trouts  it  is  the  hardiest  member  of  the  salmon  family  and  will 
make  a  brave  struggle  for  existence  even  in  an  unfavourable  en- 
vironment. Not  every  stream,  however,  can  be  stocked  with 
this  species;  the  temperature  of  the  water  must  not  be  too  high, 
nor  the  flow  too  sluggish,  although  a  high  temperature  is  not 
wholly  prohibitive,  if  there  is  a  strong  current  resulting  in  the 
proper  aeration  of  the  water.  The  best  streams  are  those  with 
a  gravelly  bottom,  clear  shallow  water,  steady,  fairly  strong  cur- 
rent with  occasional  rapids,  deeper  pools  and  eddies,  abundant 
natural  food,  and  banks  overhung  with  bushes  which  afford 
more  or  less  protection. 

The  brook  trout  spawns  in  the  fall  when  the  water  is  grow- 
ing colder.  The  season  extends  from  late  August  in  the  Lake 
Superior  region  to  October  and  November  or  even  later  in  New 
England,  New  York  and  southward.  At  spawning  time  the  fish 
will  push  far  up  even  the  smallest  creeks  where  the  spawning 
beds  are  selected  upon  gravel  bottom  in  shallow  water.  There 
the  eggs  will  lie  until  the  next  spring — anywhere  from  90  to  210 
days — when  the  water  begins  to  grow  warmer  and  the  eggs 
begin  to  hatch. 

The  number  of  eggs  produced  varies  with  the  age  and  size 
of  the  fish,  yearlings  usually  producing  150  to  250,  two-year-olds 
350  to  500,  and  older  ones  500  to  2500. 

The  size  of  the  brook  trout  varies  greatly;  in  small  streams 
they  may  be  mature  at  a  length  of  6  or  8  inches  and  a  weight 
of  but  2  or  3  ounces,  while  in  larger  bodies  of  water  and  with 
an  abundant  food  supply  they  reach  18  inches  or  even  more, 
and  a  weight  of  several  pounds.  Forty  years  ago  brook  trout 
weighing  4  to  6  and  8  pounds  were  not  uncommon. 


208 


Brook  Trout;   Speckled  Trout 

But  as  the  trout  streams  everywhere  came  to  be  fished  more 
and  more,  the  trout  became  smaller  and  smaller,  until  now  it 
is  a  rare  trout  that  escapes  the  angler's  fly  until  he  has  reached 
a  greater  weight  than  a  pound  or  two. 

The  trout  are  rapidly  disappearing  from  our  streams  through 
the  agency  of  the  lumberman,  manufacturer,  and  summer  boarder. 
In  the  words  of  the  late  Rev.  Myron  W.  Reed,  a  noble  man, 
and  an  excellent  angler, — "This  is  the  last  generation  of  trout- 
fishers.  The  children  will  not  be  able  to  find  any.  Already 
there  are  well-trodden  paths  by  $very  stream  in  Maine,  New 
York,  and  in  Michigan.  I  know  of  but  one  river  in  North 
America  by  the  side  of  which  you  will  find  no  paper  collar  or 
other  evidence  of  civilization.  It  is  the  Nameless  River.  Not 
that  trout  will  cease  to  be.  They  will  be  hatched  by  machinery 
and  raised  in  ponds,  and  fattened  on  chopped  liver,  and  grow 
flabby  and  lose  their  spots.  The  trout  of  the  restaurant  will 
not  cease  to  be;  but  he  is  no  more  like  the  trout  of  the  wild 
river  than  the  fat  and  songless  reed-bird  is  like  the  bobolink. 
Gross  feeding  and  easy  pond-life  enervate  and  deprave  him. 
The  trout  that  the  children  will  know  only  by  legend  is  the 
gold-sprinkled  living  arrow  of  the  white  water;  able  to  zig-zag 
up  the  cataract;  able  to  loiter  in  the  rapids;  whose  dainty  meat 
is  the  glancing  butterfly-" 

The  brook  trout  is  exceedingly  variable  and  many  local 
varieties  have  been  described.  The  following  description  will 
apply  well  only  to  typical  examples. 

Head  4^;  depth  4^;  D.  10;  A.  9;  scales  37-230-30;  gillrakers 
about  6+ 1 1.  Body  oblong,  moderately  compressed,  not  much 
elevated;  head  large,  but  not  very  long,  the  snout  bluntish,  the 
interorbital  space  rather  broad;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reach- 
ing beyond  orbit;  eye  large,  somewhat  above  axis  of  body;  cau- 
dal fin  slightly  lunate  in  th.e  adult,  forked  in  the  young;  adi- 
pose fin  small;  pectoral  and  ventral  fins  not  especially  elongate. 
Colour,  back  more  or  less  mottled  or  barred  with  dark  olive  or 
black,  without  spots;  red  spots  on  side  rather  smaller  than  the 
pupil;  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  mottled  with  darker;  lower  fins 
dusky,  with  a  pale,  usually  orange,  band  anteriorly,  followed  by 
a  darker  one;  belly  in  the  male  often  more  or  less  red;  sea- 
run  individuals  (the  Canadian  "salmon  trout")  are  often  nearly 
plain  bright  silvery. 


209 


Dublin  Pond  Trout 

Dublin   Pond   Trout 

Salvelinus   agassizii   (Garman) 

In  certain  ponds  or  lakes  in  New  Hampshire,  notably  Dublin 
Pond,  Lake  Monadnock,  Centre  Pond,  etc.,  is  found  a  trout 
whose  colouration  is  pale  grayish,  and  with  fewer  red  spots, 
thus  resembling  the  lake  trout.  Otherwise  it  does  not  appear  to 
differ  from  the  brook  trout,  except  that  the  young  are  said  to 
be  rather  more  slender,  the  caudal  notch  slightly  deeper,  and 
the  sides  more  silvery.  The  young  are  much  darker  than  the 
adults.  This  trout  reaches  a  length  of  7  or  8  inches. 


Dolly  Varden  Trout 

Salvelinus  parkei  (Suckley) 

This  interesting  charr  is  found  in  the  streams  and  lakes  of 
Montana,  Idaho,  Washington,  Oregon  and  California,  south  to  the 
Sacramento  basin,  and  northward  in  coastal  streams  to  the  Aleu- 
tian Islands.  It  is  found  only  in  Pacific  drainage.  Though  res- 
ident in  fresh  water,  and  scarcely  at  all  migratory,  it  often 
descends  to  the  sea,  and  is  frequently  taken  in  salt  and  brackish  waters. 
In  small  mountain  brooks  at  Unalaska  and  elsewhere  dwarfed  forms 
occur. 

This  is  the  charr  which  has  been  known  in  the  books  until 
recently  as  Salvelinus  malma,  under  the  belief  that  it  was  identi- 
cal with  the  malma  of  Walbaum  from  Kamchatka;  but  recent 
investigations  have  shown  the  American  fish  to  be  distinct  from 
the  Kamchatkan  species. 

210 


Dolly  Varden  Trout 

In  Montana  this  charr  is  called  salmon  trout,  in  Idaho  it  is 
the  bull  trout,  and  elsewhere  it  is  charr,  western  charr,  Oregon 
charr,  or  Dolly  Varden  trout,  the  last  being  one  of  the  few  book 
names  of  fishes  which  have  come  into  general  use. 

This  interesting  trout  is  one  of  the  best  known  species  in  the 
West.  It  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  3  feet,  and  a  weight  of  5  to 
12  pounds.  An  example  26  inches  long  weighed  5  pounds  and  i 
ounce.  Like  its  eastern  relative  it  is  a  voracious  fish,  feeding 
freely  upon  whatever  offers,  and  especially  fond  of  minnows,  of 
which  it  devours  great  numbers.  At  Lake  Pend  d'Oreille,  where 
the  bull  trout  is  an  abundant  and  popular  game-fish,  we  have 
found  2  species  of  minnows  and  one  miller's  thumb  all  in  the 
stomach  of  one  fish. 

It  has  been  our  pleasure  to  fish  for  the  Dolly  Varden  trout  in 
many  different  waters,  among  which  we  recall  with  particular 
satisfaction  the  Pend  d'Oreille  River  from  the  Great  Northern  Rail- 
road to  the  international  boundary,  Lake  Pend  d'Oreille  at  Hope 
and  Sand  Point,  the  Redfish  Lakes  and  Upper  Salmon  River,  high 
among  the  Sawtooth  Mountains  of  Idaho,  and  in  a  little  stream 
near  Unalaska,  in  which  dwells  a  dwarfed  Dolly  Varden  of  unusual 
beauty.  During  July  and  August,  as  well  as  in  early  spring,  it 
may  be  caught  in  any  of  these  waters.  In  the  smaller  lakes  it 
is  most  abundant  about  the  mouths  of  the  inlets,  but  the  best 
fishing  is  usually  in  the  streams,  as  the  fish  there  will  rise  to  the 
fly  more  readily,  and  are  usually  more  gamy.  Anything  will  serve 
as  a  lure — artificial  fly,  grasshopper  or  any  other  insect  of  fair 
size,  small  minnow,  a  piece  of  fish  or  other  meat,  salmon  eggs, 
trolling  spoon  or  frog,  and  even  the  bright  coloured  leaves  of  the 
painted  cup  or  other  flower. 

The  gameness  of  the  Dolly  Varden  trout  varies  greatly  with 
the  character  of  the  water  and  the  season,  just  as  with  any  other 
game-fish.  Those  taken  in  lakes  are  apt  to  be  sluggish,  but  when 
taken  in  cold  streams,  with  a  good,  strong,  steady  current,  or  in 
the  rapids  where  the  water  tumbles  and  boils,  then  the  Dolly 
Varden  displays  the  superior  game  qualities  which  show  its  kinship 
with  its  eastern  and  better  known  congener. 

Head  3^  to  3^ ;  depth  4^  to  6;  eye  6£  to  7;  snout  3  to  4; 
maxillary  if  to  3;  D.  n;  A.  9;  scales  39-240-36;  pyloric  coeca 
large,  45  to  50;  gillrakers  about  8+12.  Body  rather  slender,  the 


211 


Long-finned   Chair 

back  somewhat  elevated,  less  compressed  than  in  Salvelinus 
fontinalis',  head  large,  snout  broad,  flattened  above;  mouth  large, 
the  maxillary  reaching  past  the  eye;  fins  short,  the  caudal  slightly 
forked  or  almost  truncate.  General  colour,  olivaceous,  the  sides 
with  round  red  or  orange  spots  nearly  as  large  as  the  eye,  the 
back  with  similar  but  smaller  spots,  and  without  reticulations,  a 
feature  of  colouration  which  at  once  distinguishes  this  from  all 
other  American  trout;  lower  fins  coloured  much  as  in  S.  fontinalis, 
dusky,  with  a  pale  stripe  in  front,  followed  by  a  darker  one. 
Sea-run  examples  are  silvery,  with  the  spots  pale  or  obsolete. 

Long-finned  Charr 

Salvelinus   alipes    (Richardson) 

In  northern  Europe,  from  the  Swiss  lakes  and  the  lochs  of 
Scotland  northward,  in  all  cold  waters,  is  found  the  Saibling  or 
European  charr,  Salvelinus  alpinus.  This  charr  is  represented  in 
America  by  several  forms,  most  of  which  have  usually  ranked  as 
subspecies.  The  first  of  these  is  the  long-finned  charr  which  in- 
habits the  lakes  of  Greenland  and  Boothia  Felix  about  Prince 
Regent  Inlet. 

In  this  charr  the  body  is  elongate,  the  head  moderate,  the 
snout  long  and  pointed,  with  the  lower  jaw  projecting  beyond 
the  upper;  teeth  small;  maxillary  long  and  narrow,  reaching 
beyond  the  eye;  preopercle  very  short,  with  a  very  short  lower 
limb;  opercle  and  preopercle  very  conspicuously  and  deeply 
striated;  fins  much  developed,  the  dorsal  much  higher  than  long; 
pectoral  very  long,  reaching  more  than  halfway  to  ventrals,  which 
are  very  long;  caudal  well  forked. 

Greenland  Charr 

Salvelinus   stagnalis    (Fabricius) 

This  is  another  charr  occuring  in  the  waters  of  Greenland, 
Boothia  Felix  and  neighbouring  regions.  Body  rather  elongate; 
pectoral  short,  if  in  head,  not  reaching  half-way  to  ventrals;  dor- 
sal about  as  high  as  long,  the  longest  ray  if  in  head;  gillrakers 
9+15;  slender  and  nearly  straight,  the  longest  2\  in  eye. 

Colour,  dark  green,  with  lighter  irregular  green  streaks, 
silvery  below;  sides  everywhere  with  pale  pink  spots,  the  largest 


The  Arctic   Charr 

smaller  than   eye;   upper  fins  greenish,  the   lower  fins  pink.     Sea- 
run   examples   nearly   plain   silvery. 

This  trout  reaches  a  length  of  i  to  2  feet  and  is  a  food-fish 
of  considerable  importance  to  the  natives  of  that  region. 

Arctic  Charr 

Salvelinus   arcturus    (Giinther) 

This  charr  is  known  only  from  Lake  Victoria,  Floeberg  Beach, 
in  lat.  82°  34',  and  is  the  most  northern  Salmonoid  known. 

It  has  the  body  rather  slender,  head  small,  snout  obtuse, 
mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  in  the  male  reaching  to  posterior 
edge  of  orbit;  teeth  small;  a  band  of  hyoid  teeth;  caudal 
moderately  forked;  head  4^;  depth  5;  D.  1 1 ;  A.  10;  Br.  n; 
pyloric  coeca  31  to  44. 

Colour,  dull  greenish,  silvery  or  reddish  below;  lower  fins 
yellowish;  probably  no  red  spots. 


Sunapee  Trout  ;    American  Saibling 

Salvelinus   aureolus   Bean 

The  golden  trout  of  Sunapee  Lake  was  not  known  to  anglers 
until  about  twenty  years  ago,  and  it  was  not  described  and 
named  until  1888.  Through  the  interesting  writings  of  Dr.  John 
D.  Quackenbos  and  others  its  name  is  now  a  familiar  one  to 
anglers  everywhere,  though  but  few  have  a  personal  acquaint- 
ance with  the  fish  in  its  native  waters,  for  this  beautiful  trout 
has  a  very  restricted  habitat.  So  far  as  known  it  is  native  only 

213 


Sunapee  Trout ;    American  Saibling 

to  Sunapee  Lake,  New  Hampshire,  and  Flood  Pond,  near  Ells- 
worth, Maine,  but  through  fish  cultural  operations  it  has  been  in- 
troduced into  a  number  of  other  lakes. 

The  water  of  both  Sunapee  Lake  and  Flood  Pond  is  ex- 
ceptionally pure  and  cold,  the  bottom  temperature  varying  from 
38°  to  52°,  according  to  the  depth,  as  giving  by  Dr.  Quacken- 
bos.  The  maximum  depth  of  each  is  over  100  feet,  the  bottom 
is  of  white  sand  and  gravel,  and  there  is  in  each  an  abundance 
of  crustacea  and  other  fish-food. 

These  are  the  environing  conditions  which  have  made  the 
Sunapee  trout  a  fish  of  surprising  beauty  and  gracefulness. 
According  to  Dr.  Quackenbos  who  has  a  more  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  this  fish  than  any  other  who  has  written  about 
it,  the  distinguishing  characteristics  are  as  follows:  "The  presence 
of  a  broad  row  of  teeth  on  the  hyoid  bone  between  the  lower 
extremities  of  the  first  2  gill-arches;  the  absence  of  mottling  on 
the  dark  sea-green  back,  and  the  excessively  developed  fins;  in- 
conspicuous yellow  spots  without  areola:  a  square  or  slightly 
emarginate  tail;  a  small  and  delicately  shaped  head;  diminutive, 
aristocratic  mouth,  liquid  planetary  eyes,  and  a  generally  graceful 
build;  a  phenomenally  brilliant  nuptial  colouration,  recalling  the 
foreign  appellations  of  'blood-red  charr,'  'gilt  charr,'  and 
'golden  saibling.'  As  the  October  pairing  time  approaches,  the 
Sunapee  fish  becomes  illuminated  with  the  flushes  of  maturing 
passion. 

"The  steel-green  mantle  of  the  back  and  shoulders  now 
seems  to  dissolve  into  a  veil  of  amethyst,  through  which  the 
daffodil  spots  of  mid-summer  gleam  out  in  points  of  flame, 
while  below  the  lateral  line  all  is  dazzling  orange.  The  fins 
catch  the  hue  of  adjacent  parts,  and  pectoral,  ventral,  anal,  and 
lower  lobe  of  caudal,  are  marked  with  a  lustrous  white  band. 

"  It  is  a  unique  experience  to  watch  this  American  saibling 
spawning  on  the  Sunapee  shallows.  Here  in  all  the  magnificence 
of  their  nuptial  decoration  flash  schools  of  painted  beauties, 
circling  in  proud  sweeps  about  the  submerged  boulders  they 
would  select  as  the  scenes  of  their  loves — the  poetry  of  an  epi- 
thalamium  in  every  motion — in  one  direction,  uncovering  to  the 
sunbeams  in  amorous  leaps  their  golden-tinctured  sides,  gemmed 
with  the  fire  of  rubies;  in  another,  darting  in  little  companies, 
the  pencilled  margins  of  their  fins  seeming  to  trail  behind  them 

214 


Sunapee  Trout ;   American  Saibling 

like  white  ribbons  under  the  ripples.  There  are  conspicuous  dif- 
ferences in  intensity  of  general  colouration,  and  the  gaudy  dyes 
of  the  milter  are  tempered  in  the  spawner  to  a  dead-lustre  cad- 
mium cream  or  olive  chrome,  with  opal  spots.  The  wedding 
garment  nature  has  given  to  this  charr  is  unparagoned.  Those 
who  have  seen  the  bridal  march  of  the  glistening  hordes,  in  all 
their  glory  of  colour  and  majesty  of  action,  pronounce  it  a  spec- 
tacle never  to  be  forgotten." 

That  so  conspicuous  a  game  and  food-fish  could  have  been 
aboriginal  to  Sunapee  Lake,  and  for  100  years  have  escaped  the 
notice  alike  of  visiting  and  resident  anglers,  persistent  poachers, 
and  alert  scientists  is  accounted  for,  as  suggested  by  Dr.  Quacken- 
bos,  by  its  habit  of  remaining  almost  constantly  in  deep  water, 
by  its  spawning  on  mid-lake  reefs  late  in  the  fall  when  angling 
is  out  of  season  and  the  locality  of  the  beds  dangerous  of  access, 
and  by  its  comparative  scarcity  prior  to  the  introduction  of  black 
bass  in  1868.  Quoting  still  further  from  Dr.  Quackenbos,  to  whom 
we  are  indebted  for  our  account  of  this  fish,  "the  Sunapee  saib- 
ling  takes  live  bait  readily,  preferring  a  cast  smelt  in  spring, 
when  it  pursues  the  spawning  Osmerus  to  the  shores.  As  far 
as  is  known,  it  does  not  rise  to  the  fly,  either  at  this  season, 
or  when  on  the  shoals  in  autumn.  Through  the  summer  months 
it  is  angled  for  with  a  live  minnow  or  smelt,  in  60  to  70  feet 
of  water,  over  cold  bottom,  in  localities  that  have  been  baited. 
While  the  smelt  are  inshore,  trolling  with  a  light  fly-rod  and 
fine  tackle,  either  with  a  Skinner  fluted  spoon,  No.  i,  or  a 
small  smelt  on  a  single  hook,  will  sometimes  yield  superb  sport, 
as  the  game  qualities  of  the  white  trout  are  estimated  to  be 
double  those  of  fontinalis. 

"The  most  exhilarating  amusement  to  be  had  with  this  charr, 
after  the  first  hot  June  days,  is  in  trolling  from  a  sailboat  with  a 
greenheart  tarpon  rod,  300  feet  of  copper  wire  of  the  smallest 
calibre  on  a  heavy  tarpon  reel,  and  attached  to  this  a  6-foot  braided 
leader  with  a  Buell's  spinner,  or  a  live  minnow  on  a  stiff  gang. 
The  weight  of  the  wire  sinks  the  bait  to  the  requisite  depth. 
When  the  sailboat  is  running  across  the  wind  at  the  maximum 
of  her  speed,  the  sensation  experienced  by  the  strike  of  a  4  or 
5-pound  fish  bankrupts  all  description.  A  strong  line  under  such 
a  tension  would  part  on  the  instant;  but  the  ductility  of  the 
wire  averts  this  accident,  and  the  man  at  the  reel  end  of  the 

215 


Sunapee  Trout;   American  Saibling 

rod  experiences  a  characteristic  'give,'  quickly  followed  by  the 
dead-weight  strain  of  the  frenzied  Salmonoid.  To  land  a  fish 
thus  struck  implies  much  greater  patience  and  skill  than  a  suc- 
cessful battle,  under  similar  circumstances  with  a  5-ounce  6-strip 
and  delicate  tackle.  The  pleasure  is  largely  concentrated  in  the 
strike,  and  the  perception  of  a  big  fish  '  fast.'  The  watchful- 
ness and  labour  involved  in  the  subsequent  struggle  border  closely 
on  the  confines  of  pain.  The  ductile  wire  is  an  essentially  dif- 
ferent means  from  a  taut  silk  line.  The  fish  holds  the  coign  of 
vantage;  when  he  stands  back  and  with  bulldog  pertinacity 
wrenches  savagely  at  the  pliable  metal — when  he  rises  to  the 
surface  in  a  despairing  leap  for  his  life — the  angler  is  at  his 
mercy.  But,  brother  of  the  sleave-silk  and  tinsel,  when  at  last 
you  gaze  upon  your  captive  lying  asphyxiated  on  the  surface,  a 
synthesis  of  qualities  that  make  a  perfect  fish — when  you  disen- 
gage him  from  the  meshes  of  the  net,  and  place  his  icy  figure 
in  your  outstretched  palms,  and  watch  the  tropaeolin  glow  of  his 
awakening  tones  soften  into  cream  tints,  and  the  cream  tints 
pale  into  the  pearl  of  the  moonstone,  as  the  muscles  of  respira- 
tion glow  feebler  and  more  irregular  in  their  contraction — you 
will  experience  a  peculiar  thrill  that  the  capture  neither  of  ouana- 
niche,  nor  fontinalis,  nor  namaycush  can  ever  excite.  It  is  this 
after-glow  of  pleasure,  this  delight  of  contemplation  and  specula- 
tion, of  which  the  scientific  angler  never  wearies,  that  lends  a 
charm  all  its  own  to  the  pursuit  of  the  Alpine  trout. 

"Finally  there  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  economic  value  of  the 
American  saibling.  It  is  one  of  the  most  prolific  of  our  Sal- 
monoids,  the  female  averaging  1200  eggs  to  the  pound,  and  cast- 
ing spawn  when  only  2  ounces  in  weight.  It  is  also  a  singularly 
rapid  grower  where  smelt  food  abounds.  The  extreme  weight 
proved  to  have  been  attained  is  about  12  pounds,  although  ac- 
counts exist  of  much  larger  specimens  weighing  from  15  to  20 
pounds.  As  a  rule  the  greater  the  altitude  the  smaller  the  fish, 
but  the  more  intense  the  colouration.  This  charr  is  exceptionally 
hardy  and  easy  to  propagate.  The  eggs  bear  transportation  over 
the  roughest  roads  without  injury." 

According  to  Mr.  Merrill,  of  Green  Lake,  the  saibling  fry 
remain  perfectly  healthy  at  a  temperature  which  proves  very  trying 
to  brook  trout  fry;  both  the  eggs  and  the  fry  display  wonderful 
hardiness  under  the  most  trying  circumstances. 

216 


Oquassa   Trout;   Blueback  Trout 

The  young  are  persistent  hiders;  any  crevice  in  the  bank  or 
lump  of  clay  affords  a  hiding  place.  When  fed,  they  will  emerge 
and  rise  for  their  food,  but  will  immediately  hide  again.  In 
feeding,  they  remain  near  the  bottom,  darting  up  after  their 
food  and  going  back  quickly.  They  are  much  cleaner  feeders  than 
either  trout  or  salmon,  picking  up  all  the  food  that  sinks,  allowing 
none  to  waste. 

Dr.  Quackenbos  recommends  it  in  the  highest  terms  to  fish 
culturists  and  regards  it  as  "facile  princeps,  from  its  rush  at 
the  cast  smelt  to  the  finish  at  the  breakfast  table." 


Oquassa  Trout ;    Blueback  Trout 

Salvelinus  oqnassa  (Girard) 

The  blueback  trout  is  the  smallest  and  one  of  the  most 
handsome  of  the  charrs.  It  rarely  exceeds  a  foot  in  length  and 
a  few  ounces  in  weight,  and  is  known  only  from  the  Rangely 
Lakes  in  western  Maine.  Although  quite  different  in  appearance, 
it  shows  no  important  structural  differences  separating  it  from  the 
European  saibling. 

Formerly  this  fish  was  very  abundant,  running  up  the  streams 
in  October  in  immense  numbers — running  up  at  night  and  drop- 
ping back  before  morning,  so  that  none  was  to  be  seen  in  the 
day  time.  Then  the  fish  were  small,  only  6  to  10  inches  in 
length,  and  4  to  6  to  the  pound.  Now  they  are  very  scarce,  and 
the  few  that  are  caught  are  much  larger,  sometimes » weighing  as 
much  as  2\  pounds. 

Head  5;  depth  5;  eye  3^;  D.  10;  A.  9;  scales  about  230;  gill- 
rakers  about  6-f-n.  Body  elongate,  considerably  compressed,  less 

217 


Lac  de  Marbre  Trout;    Marston  Trout 

elevated  than  in  the  other  species  of  charrs,  the  dorsal  outline 
regularly  but  not  strongly  curved;  head  smaller  than  in  any  other 
trout,  its  upper  surface  flattish;  mouth  quite  small,  the  maxillary 
short  and  moderately  broad,  scarcely  reaching  posterior  edge  of 
orbit;  jaws  about  equal;  scales  small,  those  along  the  lateral  line 
somewhat  enlarged;  pectoral  and  ventral  fins  not  elongate;  caudal 
fin  well  forked,  in  small  ones  more  so  than  in  other  species,  but 
more  nearly  "square"  in  large  individuals;  no  concentric  striae  on 
opercles.  Colour,  dark  blue,  the  round  red  spots  much  smaller  than 
the  pupil,  and  usually  confined  to  the  sides  of  the  body;  sides 
with  traces  of  dark  bars;  lower  fins  variegated,  as  in  S.  fontinalis. 

In  lakes  of  Arctic  America,  about  Discovery  Bay  and  Cumber- 
land Gulf,  is  found  another  charr,  Salvelinus  oquassa  naresi 
(Giinther),  usually  regarded  as  a  subspecies  of  the  Oquassa  trout, 
from  which  it  does  not  differ  greatly.  It  reaches  a  length  of  a 
foot  or  more.  Nothing  is  known  of  its  habits.  Colour,  green- 
ish above,  sides  silvery  or  deep  red,  with  very  small  red  spots, 
much  smaller  than  the  pupil;  lower  fins  deep  red,  the  anterior 
margins  yellowish  white;  dorsal  fin  reddish  posteriorly. 

Lac  de  Marbre  Trout ;   Marston  Trout 

Salvelinus   marstoni  Gar  man 

This  interesting  charr  was  described  in  1893  by  Professor 
Samuel  Carman,  from  specimens  sent  him  from  Lac  de  Marbre, 
Ottawa  County,  Province  of  Quebec. 

The  distribution  of  this  trout  has  not  been  determined.  If  it 
is  identical  with  the  so-called  red  trout  of  Canada,  as  seems  prob- 
able, it  will  doubtless  be  found  in  most  of  the  suitable  waters 
north  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  tributary  to  it.  Besides  the  speci- 
mens which  Professor  Garman  had  from  Lac  de  Marbre,  which  is 
near  Ottawa,  other  examples  have  been  obtained  from  one  of 
the  lakes  of  the  Laurentides  Club  in  the  Lake  St.  John  district, 
others  from  Lac  a  Cassette,  in  Rimouski  County,  only  a  few  miles 
from  the  St.  Lawrence,  and,  more  recently,  many  fine  examples 
were  secured  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Titcomb  from  Lake  Saccacomi  and 
the  Red  lakes  in  Maskinonge  County,  township  of  St.  Alexis  des 
Monts,  Quebec. 

These  red  trout  were  at  first  thought  to  be  bottom  feeders, 
and  that  they  would  not  rise  to  the  fly,  but  they  are  now  known 

218 


Lac  de  Marbre    Trout ;    Marston  Trout 

to  take  the  fly  readily,  and  must  be  classed  among  the  most 
beautiful  and  active  of  American  game-fishes. 

It  is  regarded  by  Professor  Garman  as  allied  to  the  Oquassa 
trout,  from  which  it  differs  in  the  longer  maxillary,  stronger  den- 
tition, deeply  notched  caudal  fin,  larger  size  and  different  colouration. 
It  seems  even  more  closely  related  to  specimens  which  have  been 
identified  by  Dr.  Bean  with  Salvelinus  rossi  of  Richardson,  which 
may  be  identical  with  the  Greenland  charr. 

Little  or  nothing  has  been  recorded  regarding  its  game  qualities, 
but  its  trim  appearance  and  rich  colouration,  together  with  the  cold 
water  in  which  it  lives,  would  indicate  a  fish  well  worthy  the 
attention  of  anglers. 

Head  5;  depth  6;  eye  about  5;  snout  3!;  interorbital  3^;  D.  13; 
A.  13;  V.  9;  P.  14;  Br.  11  +  12;  vertebrae  60;  gillrakers  8+14. 
Body  subfusiform,  compressed,  pointed  at  the  snout,  slender  at 
the  tail;  mouth  large;  maxillary  straight,  extending  almost  to  pos- 
terior edge  of  eye,  bearing  strong  teeth  nearly  its  whole  length; 
teeth  on  intermaxillary  and  mandible  stronger;  a  series  of  4  strong 
hooked  teeth  on  each  side  of  tongue;  operclethin,  with  few  striae;  scales 
very  small,  apparently  about  230  in  the  series  immediately  above 
lateral  line,  and  more  than  250  in  a  row  5  or  6  scales  above 
this;  dorsal  and  anal  slightly  emarginate;  pectoral  and  ventral 
small,  base  of  the  latter  slightly  behind  the  middle  of  that  of 
dorsal;  caudal  peduncle  very  slender;  caudal  lobes  pointed,  the 
notch  very  deep.  Colour,  back  dark  brown,  unspotted,  with  an 
iridescent  bluish  tint;  dorsal  dark,  clouded,  without  spots  or 
bands;  pectoral,  ventrals  and  anal  orange  in  the  middle,  yellowish 
or  whitish  toward  bases  and  at  their  margins;  dark  colour  of  back 
shading  into  whitish  tinged  with  pink  below  lateral  line;  ventral 
surface  white,  no  doubt  reddish  in  breeding  season;  head  black 
on  top;  cheeks  silvery,  whitish  beneath;  caudal  fin  yellowish  toward 
base,  brown  distally;  faint  areas  of  lighter  tint  suggest  a  few 
spots  of  red  in  life  along  lateral  line;  flesh  pink.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  a  foot  or  more. 


aiq 


THE  GRAYLINGS 

Family  XVL      Thymallida 

THE  graylings  agree  very  closely  with  the  Salmonidce  in  external 
characters  and  in  habits.  They  differ  notably  in  the  structure  of  the 
skull  and  the  presence  of  epipleural  spines  on  the  anterior  ribs. 

The  parietal  bones  meet  at  the  middle  and  separate  the  frontals 
from  the  supraoccipital  bone.  The  conventional  statement  that  the 
graylings  are  intermediate  between  the  whitefishes  and  the  trout 
is  not  born  out  by  the  skeleton. 

The  family  contains  one  genus  and  about  5  species,  all  beautiful 
fishes  of  the  rivers  of  cold  or  Arctic  regions,  active  and  gamy  and 
delicious  as  food. 

The  French  call  the  grayling  "  un  umble  chevalier  "  and  say  he  feeds 
on  gold.  "And  some  think  he  feeds  on  water-thyme,  for  he  smells  of 
it  when  first  taken  out  of  the  water;  and  they  may  think  so  with  as 
good  reason  as  we  do  that  the  smelts  smell  like  violets  at  their  first 
being  caught;  which  I  think  is  a  truth."  (Izaak  Walton.)  And  St. 
Ambrose,  the  Bishop  of  Milan,  calls  the  grayling  "the  flower  of 
fishes." 


GENUS  THYMALLUS  CUVIER 

Body  oblong,  somewhat  compressed,  not  much  elevated;  head 
rather  short;  mouth  moderate,  terminal,  the  short  maxillary  extend- 
ing past  middle  of  the  large  eye,  but  not  to  its  posterior  margin; 
teeth  slender  and  sparse  on  the  maxillaries,  premaxillaries  and  lower 
jaw;  vomer  short  with  a  small  patch  of  teeth;  teeth  on  the  palatines; 
tongue  toothless  or  nearly  so;  scales  small  and  loose;  dorsal  fin  very 
long  and  high ;  caudal  well  forked ;  air-bladder  very  large ;  pyloric 
appendages  15  to  18. 

Three  species,  all  very  closely  related,  have  been  recognized  in 
American  waters. 


230 


Arctic  Grayling;   Poisson  Bleu 


Arctic  Grayling;  Poisson  Bleu 

Thymallus  signifer  (Richardson) 

The  Arctic  or  Alaska  grayling  is  known  from  the  Mackenzie, 
Kowak  and  other  rivers  of  Alaska,  and  is  said  to  abound  in  most 
clear  cold  streams  even  to  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches  and  is  an  excellent  food  and 
game  fish. 

Head  5$-;  depth  4|;  eye  3;  maxillary  6;  D.  24;  A.  1 1 ;  scales  8-88 
to  90-11;  coeca  18.  Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  rather  short, 
subconic,  compressed,  its  upper  outline  continuous  with  anterior 
curve  of  back;  mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  extending  to  below 
middle  of  eye;  jaws  about  equal;  scales  moderate,  easily  detached, 
lateral  line  nearly  straight;  a  small  bare  space  behind  isthmus. 
Colour,  dark  bluish  on  back,  purplish-gray  on  sides;  belly  blackish- 
gray,  with  irregular  whitish  blotches;  5  or  6  deep  blue  spots  anteri- 
orly; head  brown,  a  blue  mark  on  each  side  of  lower  jaw;  dorsal 
dark  gray,  blotched  with  paler,  with  crossrows  of  deep-blue  spots, 
edged  with  lake  red;  ventrals  striated  with  purplish  and  whitish. 


ati 


Michigan   Grayling 


Michigan  Grayling 

Thymallus  tricolor  Cope 

The  Michigan  grayling  is  known  from  various  streams  in  the 
southern  peninsula  of  Michigan  and  from  Otter  Creek,  near 
Keweenaw,  in  the  northern  peninsula.  It  was  formerly  very 
abundant  in  the  Au  Sable  and  Jordan  rivers,  and  other  streams 
of  northern  Michigan,  but  through  the  destructive  and  wholly  in- 
excusable methods  by  which  the  lumbering  and  logging  operations 
have  been  carried  on  in  that  region  these  streams  have  been  ruined 
and  the  grayling  practically  exterminated. 

The  Michigan  grayling  began  to  receive  the  attention  of 
naturalists,  fish-culturists,  and  anglers  about  25  years  ago,  but 
no  great  success  was  ever  attained  in  its  artificial  propagation. 
With  anglers  it  has  been  held  in  very  high  esteem. 

"There  is  no  species  sought  for  by  anglers  that  surpasses  the 
grayling  in  beauty.  They  are  more  elegantly  formed  and  more 
graceful  than  the  trout,  and  their  great  dorsal  fin  is  a  superb  mark  of 
loveliness.  When  the  well-lids  were  lifted,  and  the  sun's  rays 
admitted,  lighting  up  the  delicate  olive-brown  tints  of  the  back 
and  sides,  the  bluish-white  of  the  abdomen,  and  the  mingling  of 
tints  of  rose,  pale  blue,  and  purplish-pink  on  the  fins,  they  dis- 
played a  combination  of  colours  equaled  by  no  fish  outside  the 
tropics."  Mr.  Fred.  Mather  describes  the  colouring  of  the  grayling 
as  follows  :  "  His  pectorals  are  olive-brown,  with  a  bluish  tint  at 
the  end ;  the  ventrals  are  striped  with  alternate  streaks  of 
brown  and  pink ;  the  anal  is  plain  brown  ;  the  caudal  is  very 
forked  and  plain,  while  the  crowning  glory  is  the  immense 
dorsal,  which  is  dotted  with  large,  brilliant-red  or  bluish  purple  spots, 


222 


GOLDEN  TROUT  OP  SUNAPEE  LAKE,  Salvelinus  aureolus 


MONTANA  GRAYLING,  Thymallus  montanus 


Montana   Grayling 

surrounded  with  a  splendid  emerald  green,  which  fades  after  death — 
the  changeable  shade  of  green  seen  in  the  peacock's  tail." 

Head  about  5;  scales  93  to  98;  D.  21  or  22,  lower  and  smaller 
than  in  T.  signifer.  Colour,  brilliant,  purplish-gray;  young  more 
silvery;  sides  of  head  with  bright  bluish  and  bronze  reflections; 
anterior  part  of  side  with  small,  irregular,  inky-black  spots;  ventral 
fins  ornate,  dusky,  with  diagonal  rose-coloured  lines;  dorsal  with  a 
black  line  along  its  base,  then  a  rose-coloured  one,  then  a  blackish 
one,  then  rose-coloured  blackish,  and  rose  coloured,  the  last  stripe 
continued  as  a  row  of  spots;  above  these  is  a  row  of  dusky-green 
spots,  then  a  row  of  minute  rose-coloured  spots,  then  a 
broad  dusky  area,  the  middle  part  of  the  fin  tipped  with 
rose;  anal  and  adipose  fins  dusky;  central  rays  of  caudal  pink,  the 
outer  rays  dusky. 


Montana  Grayling- 

Thymallus   montanus    (Milner) 

The  Montana  grayling  is  known  to  occur  only  in  streams 
emptying  into  the  Missouri  River  above  the  Great  Falls,  prin- 
cipally in  Smith  or  Deep  River  and  its  tributaries,  in  the  Little 
Belt  Mountains,  in  Sun  River,  and  in  the  Jefferson,  Gallatin  and 
Madison  rivers  and  their  affluents.  Like  all  other  grayling  it 
prefers  cold,  clear  streams  of  pure  water,  with  sandy  and  gravelly 
bottoms. 

The  spawning  season  of  the  Montana  grayling  is  in  April 
and  May,  depending  upon  the  temperature  of  the  water. 

The  United  States  Fish  Hatchery  at  Bozeman,  Montana,  obtains 
eggs  of  the  grayling  in  Elk  Creek,  tributary  to  Red  Rock  Lake. 
At  the  approach  of  the  spawning  season  the  fish  go  up  the 
Jefferson,  through  Beaverhead  and  Red  Rock  rivers,  to  Red  Rock 


Montana  Grayling 

Lake,  14  miles  in  length,  and  through  the  lake  itself  to  the  in- 
lets at  its  head.  After  spawning  they  return  through  the  lake 
to  the  rivers  below,  none  stopping  in  the  lake  whose  waters 
seem  wholly  unsuited  to  them. 

At  spawning  time  Elk  Creek  is  fairly  alive  with  grayling  on 
the  gravelly  shallows,  where  their  large  and  beautiful  dorsal  fins 
are  to  be  seen  waving,  clear  of  the  water,  in  the  manner  of 
sharks'  fins  on  a  flood  tide, 

The  artificial  propagation  of  the  Montana  grayling  was  begun 
at  Bozeman  in  1898  and,  under  the  able  direction  of  Dr.  James 
A.  Henshall,  the  superintendent,  has  proved  very  successful.  In 
1899,  5,300,000  eggs  were  taken  and  4,567,000  fry  were  hatched 
and  liberated.  The  number  of  eggs  varies  from  2,000  to  4,000 
to  the  fish. 

As  to  game  qualities,  Dr.  Henshall  regards  the  Montana  gray- 
ling as  fully  the  equal  of  the  brook  trout,  or  red-throat  trout, 
putting  up  as  good  a  fight,  and  often  leaping  above  the  surface 
when  hooked.  It  takes  the  artificial  fly,  caddis  larvae,  grass- 
hoppers, angleworms  and  similar  bait.  The  best  artificial  flies 
to  use  are  those  with  bodies  of  peacock  harl,  or  yellow-bodied 
flies,  as:  Professor,  Queen  of  the  Water,  Oconomowoc,  and  Lord 
Baltimore;  or  Grizzly  King,  Henshall,  Coachman  and  the  like. 
Small  flies  should  be  used,  on  hooks  Nos.  10  to  12.  Grayling 
may  be  taken  from  May  to  November,  the  best  time  being  in 
the  summer. 

The  average  size  of  this  fish  is  10  to  12  inches  in  length 
and  ^  to  i  pound  in  weight.  The  largest  Dr.  Henshall  reports 
were  20  inches  long  and  weighed  2  pounds. 

At  present  good  grayling  fishing  in  Montana  can  be  had  in 
the  tributaries  of  the  Smith  or  Deep  River  in  the  Little  Belt 
Mountains,  and  in  the  upper  parts  of  the  Gallatin,  Madison  and 
Jefferson  rivers.  The  best  fishing  is  near  the  upper  canyon  of 
the  Madison,  and  in  Odell,  Red  Rock  and  other  creeks  at  the 
head  of  Red  Rock  Lake,  the  sources  of  the  Jefferson. 


124 


THE   SMELTS 

Family   XVII.     Argentinida 

THE  smelts  are  small  fishes,  marine  or  anadromous,  some  of 
tfiem  inhabiting  deep  water;  all  but  one  genus  confined  to  the 
waters  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  There  are  about  a  dozen 
genera  with  some  15  species,  and  they  may  be  regarded  a£  re- 
duced Salmonidce,  smaller  and  in  every  way  feebler  than  the 
trout,  but  similar  to  them  in  all  respects  except  in  the  form  of 
the  stomach.  Most  of  them  are  very  delicate  food-fishes. 

a.  Ventral    fins    inserted     in     front    of    the    middle  of  the    dorsal; 

mouth  large. 

b.  Scales  very  small,  arranged   in  the  male  in   villpus   bands;    pec- 

toral broad,    of  15   to  20  rays ; .'. . .  Mallotus,  225 

bb.  Scales  large,  similar  in  both  sexes;  pectoral  moderate,  of  10  to 
12  rays. 

c.  Teeth    feeble,    those    on    tongue    very   weak;    scales  small,    ad- 

herent ; Thaleichthys,  226 

cc.  Teeth  strong,,  those  on  tongue  enlarged,  canine-like;  scales 

moderate,  loosely  attached Osmerus,  227 

aa.  Ventral  fins  inserted  under  or  behind  middle  of  dorsal;  mouth 

rather  small. 

d.  Jaws    with    minute    teeth;    similar  teeth  on  tongue  and  palate; 

maxillary  reaching  past  front  of  eye; Hypomesus,  230 


GENUS  MALLOTUS  CUV1ER 
The  Capelins 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  covered  with  minute  scales,  a 
band  of  which,  above  the  lateral  line  and  along  each  side  of  the 
belly,  are  enlarged,  and  in  mature  males  they  become  elongate- 
lanceolate,  densely  imbricated,  with  free,  projecting  points,  form- 
ing villous  bands.  In  very  old  males  the  scales  of  the  back  and 
belly  are  similarly  modified,  and  the  top  of  the  head  and  the  rays 
of  the  paired  fins  are  finely  granulated.  Mouth  rather  large,  the 

"5 


Capelin  ;    Lodde 

maxillary  thin,  extending  to  below  middle  of  eye;  lower  jaw  pro- 
jecting; lower  fins  very  large;  pectorals  large,  the  base  very  broad; 
gillrakers  long  and  slender. 


Capelin;    Lodde 

Mallotus  villosus  (M  tiller) 

» 

The  Capelin  is  found  on  both  coasts  of  Arctic  America,  south 
to  Cape  Cod  and  Alaska.  It  is  also  found  on  the  Kamchatkan 
coast,  and  is  generally  abundant  northward.  It  is  a  most 
delicious  little  fish,  much  valued  in  the  far  north. 

The  eggs  of  the  capelin  are  deposited  in  the  sand  along 
Arctic  shores  in  incredible  numbers.  They  are  washed  up  on  the 
beaches,  and  in  about  30  days  they  are  hatched.  The  beach  then 
becomes  a  quivering  mass  of  little  fishes,  eggs  and  sand,  from 
which  the  little  fishes  are  borne  into  the  sea  by  the  waves. 


GENUS    THALEICHTHYS  GIRARD 

This  genus  is  intermediate  between  Mallotus  and  Osmerus, 
differing  from  the  latter  in  its  rudimentary  dentition,  and  in  its 
small  adherent  scales.  All  the  teeth  are  very  feeble,  slender  and 
deciduous,  although  occasionally  present  on  all  the  bones  of  the 
mouth;  no  permanent  teeth  on  the  tongue;  scales  smaller  than 
in  Osmerus,  and  more  closely  adherent,  larger  than  in  Mallotus, 
and  similar  in  the  2  sexes,  One  species. 


126 


Eulachon;  Candlefish 


Eulachon  ;    Candlefish 

Tkaleichthys  pacifictis  (Richardson) 

The  Eulachon  is  found  from  Oregon  northward,  ascending  the 
Fraser  and  other  rivers  in  spring  in  enormous  numbers.  An  ex- 
cellent panfish,  unsurpassed  by  any  fish  whatsoever  in  delicacy  of 
the  flesh,  which  is  far  superior  to  that  of  any  trout;  remarkable  for  ex- 
treme oiliness,  but  the  oil  has  a  very  delicate,  attractive  flavour. 
The  oil  is  sometimes  extracted  and  used  as  a  substitute  for  cod- 
liver  oil,  but  it  is  solid  and  lard-like  at  ordinary  temperatures. 
When  dried  these  fish  have  been  used  as  candles,  a  wick  having 
been  placed  in  them. 

Colour,  white,  scarcely  silvery;  upper  parts  rendered  dark  iron- 
gray  by  the  accumulation  of  dark  punctulations.  Length,  10  to 
12  inches. 


GENUS  OSMERUS  LINN^US 
The  Smelts 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  long,  pointed;  mouth  wide, 
the  slender  maxillary  extending  to  past  middle  of  eye;  lower  jaw 
projecting;  preorbital  and  suborbital  bones  narrow;  fine  teeth  on 
maxillaries  and  premaxillaries;  lower  jaw  with  small  teeth,  which 
are  larger  posteriorly;  tongue  with  a  few  strong,  fang-like  teeth, 
largest  at  the  tip;  hyoid  bone,  vomer,  and  palatines  with  wide-set 
teeth;  gillrakers  long  and  lender;  scales  large  and  loose;  dorsal 
small,  about  midway  of  body,  over  the  ventrals;  anal  long;  ver- 
tebra 40;  pyloric  coeca  few  and  small. 

227 


Tht   Pacific   Smelt 

Small  fishes  of  the  coasts  of  Europe  and  northern  America, 
sometimes  ascending  rivers;  the  flesh  of  all  very  delicate  and 
highly  valued  as  food.  Five  or  6  species  and  subspecies  in  our 
waters. 

a.  Vomer   with   a  cross-series  of  small  teeth;   small,   weak  species 

spawning  in  the  sea ; thaleichthys,   228 

aa.   Vomer  with   2   to  4   strong,    fang-like  teeth;   species  stronger 
in   habit,    ascending  streams. 

b.  Maxillary    not    reaching    posterior  margin    of  eye;    depth   6  to 

6\  in  length ;  colour  plain ; mordax,  229 

bb.   Maxillary  reaching   posterior   margin   of  eye;   depth    5^;   colour 
brilliant ; dentex,  230 


Pacific  Smelt 

Osmerus  thaleichthys  Ayres 

This  interesting  little  fish  is  found  on  our  Pacific  coast  from 
San  Francisco  northward  to  Bristol  Bay  in  Alaska,  and  is  usu- 
ally common.  It  is  a  weak,  feeble  species,  its  flesh  soft  and 
not  keeping  well,  but  of  excellent  flavour.  Colour,  olivaceous, 
the  sides  silvery  and  somewhat  translucent.  Length  8  or  9  inches. 


328 


American   Smelt 


American   Smelt 

Osmerus  mordax  (Mitchill) 

This  is  the  smelt  of  America.  It  is  found  along  our  Atlantic 
Coast  from  Virginia  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  entering  streams, 
and  is  often  land-locked.  It  is  abundant  in  Lakes  Champlain 
and  Memphremagog,  and  in  many  other  lakes  in  New  England, 
New  Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia.  It  enters  our  rivers  and 
brackish  bays  during  the  winter  months  for  the  purpose  of 
spawning,  when  it  is  caught  in  immense  numbers  in  nets 
and  by  hook  and  line.  In  1622  Capt.  John  Smith  wrote:  "Of 
smelts  there  is  such  abundance  that  the  Salvages  doe  take  them 
up  in  the  rivers  with  baskets,  like  sives";  and  Josselyn,  55 
years  later,  wrote:  "The  frostfish  [O.  mordax]  is  little  bigger 
than  a  Gudgeon,  and  are  taken  in  fresh  brooks;  when  the 
waters  are  frozen  they  make  a  hole  in  the  ice,  about  ^  yard 
or  yard  wide,  to  which  the  fish  repair  in  great  numbers,  where, 
with  small  nets  bound  to  a  hoop  about  the  bigness  of  a  firkin- 
hoop,  .  with  a  staff  fastened  to  it,  they  take  them  out  of  the 
hole."  Great  quantities  are  taken  along  the  coast  and  usually 
after  being  frozen,  are  shipped  to  the  larger  cities.  Those  which 
have  not  been  frozen  are  termed  "green"  smelts,  and  are  much 
more  highly  esteemed. 

The  principal  food  of  the  smelt  consists  of  shrimps  and  other 
small  crustaceans. 

Colour,  transparent  greenish  above,  sides  silvery;  body  and 
fins  with  some  dark  punctulations.  The  smelt  does  not  usu- 
ally exceed  8  or  10  inches  in  length,  but  it  sometimes  exceeds  a 
foot  in  length  and  a  weight  of  a  pound. 

229 


Rainbow  Herring 

Examples  from  Sebago  Lake  recently  obtained  by  Dr.  Ken- 
dall measure  12  inches  in  total  length,  and  even  larger  ones 
occur  in  the  Belgrade  Lakes  of  Maine. 

In  Wilton  Pond,  Kennebec  County,  Maine,  is  a  land-locked 
smelt  which  has  been  recognized  as  a  subspecies  of  the  common 
smelt  under  the  name  Osmerus  mordax  spectrum.  It  seems  to 
be  distinguished  by  a  somewhat  shorter  head  and  more  slender 
body. 

In  Cobbosseecontee  Lake,  Maine,  is  found  another  subspecies, 
O.  mordax  abbotti,  which  has  the .  head  still  shorter  and  the  bodv 
more  slender;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  pupil. 

These  subspecies  are  of  doubtful  validity. 


Rainbow    Herring 

Osmerus   dentex  Steindachner 

On  both  coasts  of  Bering  Sea  and  south  to  northern  China 
this  smelt  is  found.  It  is  a  brilliantly  coloured  little  fish  with 
the  flesh  of  firmer  texture  than  in  other  species.  About  Bristol 
Bay  it  constitutes  an  important  part  of  the  food  of  the  natives. 

Colour,  pale  olive  on  back,  the  scales  edged  with  darker; 
side  above  lateral  line  purple,  changing  below  to  blue,  and  then 
to  violet  and  gold;  under  parts  silvery,  with  rosy  sheen,  the 
belly  satiny- white ;  fins  plain,  slightly  golden. 


GENUS  HYPOMESUS   GILL 
The  Surf  Smelts 

Body  rather  elongate,  moderately  compressed,  covered  with 
thin  scales  oi  moderate  size;  head  rather  pointed;  mouth  moderate, 
the  short  maxillary  not  quite  reaching  middle  of  eye,  its  out- 
line below  broadly  convex;  lower  jaw  projecting;  teeth  minute, 
on  jaws,  vomer,  palatines,  and  tongue;  ventrals  inserted  directly 
under  middle  of  dorsal,  midway  between  eye  and  base  of  cau- 
dal. Small  fishes  of  the  North  Pacific. 

230 


Surf  Smelt;   Pond   Smelt 

Surf  Smelt 

Hypomesus  pretiosus    (Girard) 

This  smelt  attains  a  length  of  a  foot  and  is  found  on  the 
coast  of  California  and  Oregon  from  Monterey  northward,  usually 
abundant  and  spawning  in  the  surf.  A  firm-fleshed  and  fat  little 
fish  of  delicious  flavour,  scarcely  inferior  to  the  eulachon. 

'Colour,  light  olivaceous;   a  silvery   band  along  the  lateral  line. 

Pond   Smelt 

Hypomesus   olidus   (Pallas) 

This  delicious  and  excellent  little  food-fish  is  abundant  on 
both  coasts  of  Bering  Sea  southward  to  Japan  and  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  It  spawns  in  fresh-water  ponds,  and  is  exceedingly 
abundant  about  St.  Michaels.  From  the  surf  smelt,  which  it 
closely  resembles,  it  is  distinguished  by  its  higher  fins,  the 
longest  dorsal  ray  being  only  6  in  body;  pectoral  reaching  f  dis- 
tance to  ventrals,  their  length  5  in  body;  ventrals  6  in  body. 
Colour,  dusky,  little  transparent. 


THE  BLACKFISH 

Family  XVIII.     Dalliida 

THIS  family  contains  but  one  genus  and  a  single  species, 
Dallia  pectoralis  Bean,  known  as  the  Alaskan  blackfish.  It  is 
found  only  in  the  streams  and  ponds  of  northern  Alaska  and 
Siberia,  abounding  in  sphagnum  ponds  and  found  in  countless 
numbers  "wherever  there  is  water  enough  to  wet  the  skin  of  a 
fish."  It  forms  one  of  the  chief  articles  in  the  food  of  the  natives 


Alaskan  Blackfish 

who  use  it  also  as  food  for  their  dogs.  It  feeds  largely  upon 
small  plants,  worms  and  crustaceans.  Its  vitality  is  extraordinary. 
It  will  remain  frozen  in  baskets  for  weeks  and,  when  thawed 
out,  will  be  as  lively  as  ever.  Turner  mentions  one  swallowed 
frozen  by  a  dog,  thawed  out  by  the  heat  of  the  dog's  stomach, 
and  vomited  up  alive.  Length  about  8  inches. 


232 


THE   PIKES 

Family  XIX.     Esocida 

BODY  long,  slender,  not  elevated,  more  or  less  compressed 
posteriorly,  broad  anteriorly;  head  long,  the  snout  long  and  de- 
pressed; mouth  very  large,  its  cleft  forming  about  half  length  of 
head;  lower  jaw  the  longer;  upper  jaw  not  protractile;  premax- 
illaries,  vomer,  and  palatines  with  broad  bands  of  strong  cardi- 
form  teeth  which  are  more  or  less  movable;  lower  jaw  with 
strong  teeth  of  different  sizes;  tongue  with  a-  band  of  small  teeth; 
head  naked  above;  cheeks  and  opercles  more  or  less  scaly;  gill- 
openings  very  wide;  gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the 
isthmus;  branchiostigals  12  to  20;  scales  small;  lateral  line  weak, 
obsolete  in  the  young,  better  developed  in  the  adult;  pseudo- 
branchiae  glandular,  hidden;  air-bladder  simple.  , 

Fishes  of  moderate  or  large  size,  inhabiting  the  fresh  waters 
of  Europe,  Asia  and  North  America.  There  is  but  a  single 
genus  with  7  species,  one  of  them  cosmopolitan,  the  others  all 
confined  to  North  America.  The  species  are  all  noted  for  their 
greediness  and  voracity;  "mere  machines  for  the  assimilation  of 
other  organisms."  They  are  all  excellent  food-fishes  and  the 
larger  ones  are  good  game-fishes. 


The  characters  of  the  genus  included  above  with  those  of 
the  family.  The  7  species  may  easily  and  readily  be  identified 
by  means  of  the  following  key: 

a.  Cheek  entirely   scaly;   branchiostegals    n    to    16. 

b.  Opercles   entirely  scaly;   dorsal  rays    n   to    14;   colour  greenish, 

barred  or  reticulated   with   darker. 

c.  Branchiostegals    normally    12    (n    to    13);    scales    105    to    108; 

dorsal  rays  n  or  12;  anal  rays  n  or  12;  snout  short, 
middle  of  eye  nearer  tip  of  lower  jaw  than  posterior  mar- 
gin of  opercle;  species  of  small  size;  the  fins  unspotted. 

d.  Head   short,   j\  in   length  of  body;   snout  2^  in   head;   eye  2| 

in  snout.  Colour,  dark  greenish,  the  side  with  about  20 
distinct  curved  blackish  bars;  fins  pale; americanus,  234 

233 


Banded  Pickerel 

dd.  Head  longer,  }\  in  length  of  body;  snout  z\  in  head;  eye 
2\  in  snout.  Colour,  light  greenish,  the  side  with  many 
narrow  curved  streaks  of  darker,  these  usually  distinct,  ir- 
regular, and  much  reticulated;  fins  plain;  vermiculatus,  234 

cc.  Branchiostegals  14  to  16;  scales  about  125;  dorsal  rays  14; 
anal  13;  middle  of  eye  midway  between  tip  of  lower  jaw 
and  posterior  margin  of  opercle.  Colour,  greenish,  with 
many  narrow  dark  curved  lines  and  streaks,  mostly  hori- 
zontal and  more  or  less  reticulated;  fins  plain; 

reticulatus,   235 

bb.  Opercles  without  any  scales  on  the  lower  half;  dorsal  rays 
1 6  or  17.  Colour,  grayish,  with  many  whitish  spots,  the 
young  with  whitish  or  yellowish  crossbars;  dorsal,  anal,  and 
caudal  spotted  with  black;  a  white  horizontal  band  bounding 
naked  portion  of  opercle.  Size  large; lucius,  236 

aa.  Cheeks  as  well  as  opercles  with  the  lower  half  naked;  bran- 
chiostegals  17  to  19. 

d.  Sides  grayish,  with  round  or  squarish  blackish  spots,  not 
coalescing  to  form  bands ; masqumongy,  237 

dd.  Sides  brassy,  with  narrow  dark  cross-shades,  which  break 
up  into  vaguely  outlined  dark  spots; ohiensis,  239 

ddd.  Sides  grayish,  unspotted  or  with  very  vague  dark  cross- 
shades  ; immaculatus,  240 


Banded    Pickerel 

Esox  americanus  Gmelin 

This  small  pickerel,  reaching  a  length  of  about  a  foot,  oc- 
curs only  east  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  from  Massachusetts 
to  Florida,  the  westernmost  record  being  Flomaton,  Alabama. 
It  is  abundant  in  all  lowland  streams  and  swamps  of  this  region. 
It  takes  the  baited  hook  readily  but  is  too  small  to  be  of  much  food 
or  game  value. 

Easily  known  by  the  complete  scaling  of  cheeks  and  opercles  and 
in  having  12  or  13  branchiostegals. 

Little  Pickerel  ;  Grass  Pike 

Esox  vermiculatus  Le  Sueur 

The  grass   pike   occurs   abundantly  throughout  the  middle  and 
upper  Mississippi  Valley  and  in  streams  tributary  to  Lakes  Erie  and 

234 


Common  Eastern  Pickerel;   Green  Pike;  Jack 

Michigan.  It  is  not  known  from  east  of  the  Alleghanies  nor  from 
Texas.  Throughout  most  of  its  range  it  is  generally  common  in  all 
ponds,  bayous  and  small  sluggish  streams,  preferring  those  waters 
in  which  there  is  much  aquatic  vegetation.  It  rarely  exceeds  a  foot 
in  length  which  precludes  it  being  more  than  a  boy's  fish. 

Br.  ii  to  13;  scales  105.  Colour,  green  or  grayish;  side  with 
many  curved  streaks,  sometimes  forming  bars,  but  more  usually 
marmorations  or  reticulations,  the  colour  extremely  variable,  some- 
times quite  plain;  sides  of  head  usually  variegated;  a  dark  bar 
downward  and  one  forward  from  the  eye;  base  of  caudal  sometimes 
mottled;  other  fins  usually  plain. 


Common  Eastern  Pickerel;  Green  Pike;  Jack 
Esox  reticulatus  Le  Sueur 

This  species  is  found  from  Maine  to  Florida,  Louisiana,  Arkan- 
sas and  Tennessee,  common  everywhere  east  and  south  of  the 
Alleghanies.  In  Maine  it  was  probably  native  only  in  the  south- 
western portion  of  the  state,  but  through  the  agency  of  man  it 
is  now  abundant  in  practically  all  the  lakes  in  the  southern  third 
of  the  State,  and  it  is  found  in  some  lakes  further  north.  In  the 
other  New  England  States  this  pickerel  is  a  common  and  familiar 
inhabitant  of  nearly  every  lake  and  pond.  The  same  is  true  of 
the  ponds  and  lakes  of  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania. • 

The  most  southern  record  is  from  Crooked  Lake,  Orange 
County,  Florida.  The  most  western  record  is  from  Mammoth 
Springs,  Arkansas,  and  other  tributaries  of  White  River,  it  being 
common  in  the  Ozark  region.  This  species  attains  a  length  of 
2  feet,  and  a  weight  of  several  pounds.  In  some  places  it  is  a 
game-fish  of  considerable  importance.  It  is  fished  for  in  all  sorts 
of  ways.  In  New  England  and  elsewhere  perhaps  the  most 
common  method  is  "skittering,"  using  a  piece  of  perch  belly,  a 
minnow,  a  small  frog  or  a  frog-leg.  In  trolling,  as  in  skittering, 
almost  any  lure  is  effective.  It  will  also  take  the  artificial  fly, 
particularly  if  it  be  large  and  bright  in  colour,  and  if  used  some- 
what as  in  skittering.  In  winter  many  pickerel  are  taken  through 
the  ice  by  using  live  minnow  bait. 

235 


Common  Pike ;    Great    Lakes  Pike ;    Pickerel 

As  a  food-fish  the  pickerel  occupies  a  fair  rank.  Its  flesh  is 
firm  and  flaky  and  possesses  a  pleasant  flavour,  though  it  is  a 
little  dry. 

Br.  14  to  16;  D.  14;  A.  13;  scales  125;  cheeks  and  opercles 
entirely  scaly.  Colour,  green  of  vary-ing  shades;  sides  with  golden 
lustre,  and  marked  with  numerous  dark  lines  and  streaks,  which  are 
mostly  horizontal,  and  by  their  junction  with  one  another  pro- 
duce a  reticulated  appearance;  a  dark  band  below  eye;  fins  plain. 


Common  Pike;  Great   Lakes  Pike;   Pickerel 

Esox  lucius  Linnaeus 

This  is  the  most  widely  distributed  and  most  important 
species  of  the  family.  It  is  found  in  all  suitable  fresh  waters  of 
northern  North  America,  Europe  and  Asia.  In  North  America  it 
is  found  from  New  York  and  the  Ohio  River  northward.  It  is 
not  found  on  the  Pacific  coast,  except  in  Alaska.  In  the  small 
lakes  of  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley,  and  in  the  Great  Lakes  it 
is  generally  common.  It  is  a  common  fish  in  Canada,  where  it 
is  called  "eithinyoo-cannooshoeoo"  by  the  Creek  Indians.  It  reaches 
a  length  of  4  feet  and  a  weight  of  40  pounds  or  more. 

Its  great  size  and  fairly  good  game  qualities  make  it  a  fish 
which  is  much  prized  by  many  anglers.  It  is  taken  in  the  vari- 
ous ways  by  which  the  eastern  pickerel  is  captured,  from  which 
its  habits  are  not  materially  different.  In  Europe  it  is  more  highly 
esteemed  than  with  us.  Walton  devotes  an  entire  chapter  to  it, 
concluding  with  directions  how  to  "roast  him  when  he  is  caught," 
and  declaring  that  "when  thus  prepared  he  is  '  choicely  good '  — 

236 


The   Muskallunge 

too  good  for  any  but  anglers  and  honest  men."     In  Manitoba  it  is  the 
jack-fish,  according  to  Mr  Ernest  Thompson   Seton. 

One  of  the  best  streams  for  great  pike  fishing  of  which  we 
know  is  the  Kankakee.  In  this  sluggish  river  and  its  connecting 
lakes  this  fish  is  quite  common,  and  reaches  a  very  large  size. 
The  largest  example  of  which  we  have  any  record  as  being  taken 
in  the  Kankakee  weighed  26^  pounds. 

Br.  14  to  16;  D.  16  or  17;  A.  13  or  14;  scales  123;  cheeks 
entirely  scaly;  upper  part  of  opercle  scaly,  the  lower  half  bare. 
General  colour,  bluish  or  greenish-gray,  with  many  whitish  or  yel- 
lowish spots,  which  are  usually  smaller  than  the  eye,  and  arranged 
somewhat  in  rows;  dorsal,  anal  and  caudal  fins  with  roundish  or 
oblong  black  spots;  young  with  the  whitish  spots  coalescing, 
forming  oblique  crossbars;  a  white  horizontal  band  bounding  the 
naked  part  of  the  opercle;  each  scale  with  a  grayish  V-shaped 
mark. 


Muskallunge 

Esox  masquinongy  Mitchill 

Whence  and  what  are  you,    monster  grim  and  great  ? 

Sometimes  we  think  you  are  a    "Syndicate," 

For  if  our  quaint  cartoonists  be  but  just 

You  have  some   features  of  the   modern    "Trust." 

A  wide,  ferocious  and  rapacious  jaw, 

A   vast,  insatiate  and  expansive  craw; 

And,   like  the  "Trust,"  your  chiefest  aim   and  wish 

Was  to   combine  in  one  all  smaller  fish, 

And   all  the   lesser  fry  succumbed  to   fate, 

Whom  you  determined   to  consolidate. — Wilcox. 

237 


The    Muskallunge 

The  muskallunge  is  native  to  all  the  Great  Lakes,  the  upper 
St.  Lawrence  River,  certain  streams  and  lakes  tributary  to  the 
Great  Lakes,  and  in  a  few  lakes  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley. 
It  also  occurs  in  Canada  north  of  the  Great  Lakes.  It  does  not 
seem  to  be  at  all  abundant  anywhere,  as  the  number  taken  each 
year  in  any  one  of  the  lakes  is  small.  It  is  perhaps  most  com- 
mon in  Lakes  Michigan  and  Erie,  and  among  the  Thousand 
Islands. 

This  species  is  known  by  many  different  common  names, 
most  of  them  being  variant  spellings  of  the  Indian  name  "  nos- 
cononge.  "  Among  those  which  deserve  mention  are:  muskallunge, 
muscalonge,  muscallonge,  muscallunge,  muskellunge,  musquellunge, 
masquinongy,  maskinongy  and  great  pike.  Muskallunge  is  the  spel- 
ling which  now  seems  to  be  most  usually  followed. 

The  muskallunge  reaches  a  length  of  8  feet,  and  is  a  mag- 
nificent fish,  by  far  the  largest  of  its  family,  reaching  a  weight 
of  100  pounds  or  more.  "A  long,  slim,  strong  and  swift  fish, 
in  every  way  fitted  to  the  life  it  leads,  that  of  a  dauntless 
marauder." 

As  a  game-fish  the  muskallunge  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
greatest,  though  the  interest  in  catching  a  fish  of  this  species  is 
doubtless  due  more  to  its  immense  size  than  to  any  extraordinary 
game  qualities.  Nevertheless,  it  is  a  good  fighter,  and  able  to 
try  the  skill  of  the  most  expert  angler.  It  is  an  extremely  vora- 
cious fish,  and  80  pounds  of  muskallunge  represents  several  tons 
of  minnows,  whitefish  and  the  like. 

The  usual  method  of  taking  the  muskallunge  is,  of  course,  by 
trolling,  a  stout  line,  heavy  hook  and  large  minnow  being  used. 
The  best  live  bait  species  are  the  fall-fish,  river  chub  and  creek 
chub;  medium-sized  suckers  are  also  frequently  used. 

Br.  17  to  19;  D.  17;  A.  15;  scales  150.  General  form  that  of 
the  common  pike,  the  head  a  little  larger;  cheek  and  opercle  scaled 
above,  but  both  naked  on  their  lower  half;  scaly  part  of  cheek 
variable,  usually  about  as  wide  as  eye,  scales  on  cheek  and  opercle 
in  about  8  rows;  eye  midway  between  tip  of  lower  jaw  and 
posterior  margin  of  opercle.  Colour,  dark  gray,  side  with  round 
(y  squarish  blackish  spots  of  varying  size  OP  a  ground  colour  of 
grayish  silvery 


238 


Chautauqua    Muskallunge 

Chautauqua  Muskallunge 

Esox   ohiensis   Kirtland 

The  muskallunge  of  Chautauqua  Lake  and  the  Ohio  basin 
differs  greatly  in  appearance  from  that  of  the  Great  Lakes.  As 
the  2  forms  are  not  known  to  intergrade  and  as  their  habitats 
are  entirely  distinct,  they  are  best  regarded  as  distinct  species. 
The  Chautauqua  muskallunge  is  known  chiefly  from  Chautauqua 
Lake,  though  specimens  have  been  reported  from  a  few  other 
places  in  the  Ohio  Valley,  viz:  the  Mahoning  River,  the  Ohio  at 
Evansville,  and  Conneaut  Lake.  In  the  early  part  of  the  last 
century  when  Rafinesque  wrote  about  the  fishes  of  the  Ohio 
River,  the  muskallunge  was  apparently  more  frequently  seen  in 
that  river  than  now. 

In  Chautauqua  Lake  it  is  by  all  odds  the  most  important 
fish,  whether  considered  from  the  standpoint  of  the  commercial 
fisherman  or  that  of  the  angler.  For  more  than  10  years  the  State  of 
New  York  has  been  propagating  this  species  with  notable  success, 
the  total  number  of  fry  hatched  from  189010  1898  being  18,325,000. 
These  fry  have  been  planted  chiefly  in  Chautauqua  Lake,  but  large 
and  frequent  plants  have  been  made  in  other  waters  of  New  York. 
Many  have  been  put  in  Lake  Ontario  and  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  and 
now  the  angler  among  the  Thousand  Islands  may  expect  to  find  there 
not  only  the  Great  Lakes  muskallunge  but  this  species  as  well. 

As  a  game-fish  the  Chautauqua  muskallunge  occupies  a  high  rank, 
due,  doubtless,  more  to  its  immense  size  than  to  actual  fighting 
power.  It  is  usually  taken  by  trolling  either  with  the  spoon  or 
a  good-sized  minnow.  In  September  the  spoon  is  used;  later  the 
minnow  becomes  more  popular. 

Writing  of  this  species  in  1818  Rafinesque  said:  "It  is  one 
of  the  best  fishes  in  the  Ohio;  its  flesh  is  very  delicate  and  divides 
easily,  as  in  salmon,  into  large  plates  as  white  as  snow.  It  is 
called  salmon  pike,  white  pike,  white  jack,  or  white  pickerel, 
and  Picareau  blanc  by  the  Missourians.  It  reaches  a  length  of 
5  feet."  Dr.  Kirtland  says  that  "epicures  consider  it  one  of  the 
best  fishes  of  the  West,"  and  another  affirms  that  "as  a  food-fish 
there  is  nothing  superior  to  it.  It  ranks  with  the  salmon  and 
speckled  trout,  and  surpasses  the  black  and  striped  bass.  The 
meat  is  almost  as  white  as  snow,  fine-grained,  nicely  laminated, 

239 


Great   Northern   Pike 

and  the  flavour  is  perfect."  The  quality  of  the  flesh  improves  upon 
keeping,  and  is  very  much  more  juicy  and  of  better  flavour  after 
a  day  or  2  on  ice. 

Colour,  nearly  uniform  dark  olive-green  on  back;  upper  f 
of  side  rich  brassy  green  with  some  metallic  green;  about  25  faint  nar- 
row darker  vertical  bars  extending  somewhat  below  lateral  line;  lower 
third  of  side  paler  and  more  brassy,  the  vertical  bars  widening  into 
broad  darkish  blotches,  these  most  greenish  on  posterior  third  of 
body;  top  of  head  very  dark  green;  scaled  part  of  head  brassy- 
green,  lower  part  of  side  of  head  less  brassy  and  less  greenish, 
it  being  more  silvery,  especially  on  lower  part  of  opercle;  rim  of 
lower  jaw  dusky  greenish,  rest  of  lower  jaw  and  throat  white; 
fins  dark  olive,  with  numerous  darker  greenish  spots;  iris  grayish 
brown.  The  crossbars  are  rather  broad  and  do  not  break  up 
distinctly  into  diffuse  spots,  and  the  fin  spots  are  greenish  rather 
than  black.  The  general  colour  is  a  rich  greenish  brassy  with 
very  indistinct  darker  green  crossbars. 


Great  Northern   Pike 

Esox  immaculatus  (Garrard) 

This  muskallunge  is  known  only  from  Eagle  Lake  and  other 
small  lakes  in  northern  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota.  From  the 
Great  Lakes  muskallunge  it  differs  in  having  the  body  entirely 
unspotted,  or  with  vague,  dark  cross  shades.  The  tail  is  a  little 
more  slender  and  the  fins  are  a  little  higher.  This  form  has  not 
been  studied  critically  and  its  relations  to  E.  masquinongy  and  E. 
ohiensis  have  not  been  clearly  made  out. 


THE  NEEDLEFISHES 

Family  XX.     Belonidce 

VORACIOUS,  carnivorous,  saltwater  fishes,  bearing  a  superficial 
resemblance  to  the  Gar  pikes;  genera  4  (only  2  in  American  waters) 
and  species  about  50,  the  majority  American.  Their  habits  are 
ordinarily  much  like  those  of  the  pikes,  but  when  startled  they 
swim  along  the  surface  of  the  water  with  extraordinary  rapidity, 
skimming  the  surface,  sometimes  leaping  from  the  water  with  a 
sculling  motion  of  the  tail,  sometimes  remaining  out  of  the  water 
for  long  distances,  but  striking  it  at  short  intervals  with  the 
caudal  fin.  When  thus  leaping  the  large  species  of  the  tropics  are 
said  to  be  a  source  of  danger  to  incautious  fishermen,  sometimes 
piercing  with  their  long  sharp  snout  the  naked  bodies  of  the 
savages. 

Owing  to  the  green  colour  of  their  bones,  they  are  not 
much  used  as  food,  though  their  flesh  is  excellent. 

This  family  contains  2  genera,  Tylosurus  and  Athlennes,  the 
former  with  several  species,  the  latter  with  but  i.  The  only 
species  deserving  mention  are  the  common  neeedlefish  (T.  notatus), 


the  billfish  (T.  marinus),  and  the  houndfish  or  agujon  (T.  raphi- 
doma).  The  agujon,  of  which  we  present  a  figure,  is  an  abun- 
dant and  important  food-fish  about  Porto  Rico.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  3  to  5  feet  and  is  a  vigorous,  active  fish,  sometimes 
dangerous  in  its  leaps  from  the  water,  and  much  dreaded  by  the 
fishermen.  The  young  sometimes  stray  northward  to  New  Jersey. 


241 


THE  BALAOS  OR  HALF-BEAKS 

Family  XXI.     Hemiramp  hides 

HERBIVOROUS  fishes  of  warm  seas;  mostly  shore  species,  a 
few  pelagic.  They  feed  chiefly  on  green  algae  and,  like  the 
related  forms,  swim  at  the  surface,  occasionally  leaping  in  the 
air.  Species  of  rather  small  size,  rarely  exceeding  a  foot  in 
length.  Genera  about  7;  species  about  75.  Within  our  limits 
there  are  4  genera  and  about  1 1  species.  Most  of  them  are  of 
some  food  value.  This  family  is  doubtfully  distinct  from  Exo- 
ccetidce  and  the  2  should  be  combined. 

The  genus   Chriodorus  contains   a   single  species   (C.    atherin- 
oides)   which    occurs    among  the    Florida    Keys.      It    is     abundant 
at   Key   West.      It   reaches   a   length    of   10  inches   and   is   an    ex 
cellent  little  panfish. 

The  genus  Hyporhamphus  contains  numerous  species  in  all 
warm  seas.  They  are  all  known  as  half-beaks  and  swim  in  large 
schools  usually  near  shore,  where  they  feed  chiefly  on  green 
algae.  There  are  3  species  in  our  waters,  all  small  and  not 
much  used  as  food,  though  the  flavour  is  excellent.  The  com- 


mon half-beak  (H.  roberti],  of  which  we  give  a  figure,  occurs 
on  both  coasts  of  America,  north  to  Rhode  Island  and  Lower 
California.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length. 

The  balaos  (genus  Hemiramphus)  have  the  body  compressed 
and  the  sides  nearly  parallel  and  vertical.  There  are  2  species 
in  our  waters,  both  occurring  in  the  West  Indies. 

The  genus  Euleptorhamphus  has  the  body  more  slender  and 
more  compressed,  and  the  pectoral  fins  longer.  Only  i  species, 
found  in  the  West  Indies,  and  reaching  a  length  of  2  feet. 


242 


THE    FLYING-FISHES 

Family  XXII.    Exoccetida 

FIVE  genera  and  about  65  species  of  carnivorous  or  herbiv- 
orous fishes,  abounding  in  all  warm  seas,  mostly  pelagic,  swimming 
near  the  surface,  and  skipping,  sailing  or  flying  through  the  air, 
sometimes  for  considerable  distances.  In  our  waters  there  are 
about  20  species,  only  the  following  deserving  any  special  mention 
in  this  work. 

The  most  common  species  off  our  Atlantic  Coast  is  Parex- 
ocoetus  mesogaster,  which  also  occurs  among  the  Hawaiian  Islands. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  7  inches.  The  sharp-nosed  flying-fish 
(Fodiator  acutus),  of  which  we  present  a  figure,  is  found  on  both 


coasts  of  tropical  America.  It  is  common  in  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia, and  is  a  good  food-fish. 

The  common  flying-fish  (Exoccetus  volitans)  inhabits  all  warm 
seas,  on  our  coast  north  in  summer  to  Newfoundland. 

The  California  flying-fish  (Cypsilurus  calif ornicus),  of  which  we 
show  a  figure  on  next  page,  occurs  from  Point  Conception  to  Cape 
San  Lucas.  It  is  very  abundant  in  summer,  and  is  found  in 
great  schools  about  the  Santa  Barbara  Islands.  This  is  the  only 
flying-fish  occurring  on  our  Pacific  Coast  north  of  Cape  San  Lucas. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches,  being  the  largest  flying-fish 
known,  and  having  the  greatest  power  of  flight.  Where  it  goes 
in  winter  has  not  been  determined,  as  it  has  not  been  seen  out- 


243 


The  Flying  Fish 


California  Flying-fish  (Cypsilurus  calif ornicus ) 

side   of  Californian   waters.      It    is    an     excellent  food-fish,    and   is 
sometimes   taken  by  thousands  off  Santa  Barbara. 

Whether  flying-fishes  really  fly,  or  merely  soar  or  sail,  is  a 
question  which  has  been  much  discussed.  Competent  observers 
have  asserted  positively  that  they  have  a  real  flight,  while  others, 
equally  competent,  maintain  that  the  movement  of  the  flying-fish 
in  the  air  is  unaccompanied  by  any  vibration  of  the  pectoral 
fins,  and  is  sustained  only  so  long  as  is  possible  from  the  impe- 
tus given  upon  emerging  from  the  water.  Probably  the  differences 
in  opinion  are  largely  explained  by  the  fact  that  the  different 
observers  have  studied  different  species.  Some  species,  at  least 
the  larger  ones,  have  a  real  flight;  the  pectoral  fins  vibrate,  and 
the  flight  can  be  prolonged  almost  indefinitely. 

We  have  often  seen  the  fins  vibrating  just  as  do  the  wings 
of  a  bird,  and  Dr.  James  E.  Benedict  and  others  have  caught 
flying-fish  in  nets  when  in  the  air,  and  have  plainly  seen  the 
pectoral  fins  still  vibrating. 

Some  of  the  smaller  species  seem  to  move  quite  differently, 
and  it  may  be  that  they  do  not  really  fly. 

The  senior  author  of  this  work  dissents  from  this  common 
view  expressed  above,  and  does  not  believe  that  the  pectoral  fins 
have  any  large  power  of  motion  of  their  own,  but  that  they 
quiver  or  vibrate  only  when  the  muscles  of  the  tail  are  in  action. 
He  has,  with  Dr.  Charles  H.  Gilbert,  had,  at  Santa  Rosa  Island, 
California,  the  best  possible  opportunity  to  observe  the  motion  of 
Cypsilurus  californicus. 

The  flying-fishes  live  in  the  open  sea.  swimming  in  large 
schools.  They  will  "fly"  a  distance  of  from  a  few  rods  to  more 

244 


The  Flying  Fisfc 

than  an  eighth  of  a  mile,  rarely  rising  more  than  3  or  4  feet. 
Their  movements  in  the  water  are  extremely  rapid ;  the  sole  source 
of  motive  power  is  the  action  of  the  strong  tail  while  in  the 
water.  No  force  is  acquired  while  the  fish  is  in  the  air.  On 
rising  from  the  water  the  movements  of  the  tail  are  continued 
until  the  whole  body  is  out  of  the  water.  While  the  tail  is  in 
motion  the  pectoral  fins  seem  to  be  in  a  state  of  rapid  vibration, 
but  this  is  apparent  only,  due  to  the  resistance  of  the  air  to 
the  motions  of  the  animal.  While  the  tail  is  in  the  water  the 
ventrals  are  folded.  When  the  action  of  the  tail  ceases,  the  pec- 
torals and  ventrals  are  spread  out  and  held  at  rest.  They  are 
not  used  as  wings,  but  act  rather  as  parachutes  to  hold  the  body 
in  the  air.  When  the  fish  begins  to  fall,  the  tail  touches  the 
water,  when  its  motion  again  begins,  and  with  it  the  apparent 
motion  of  the  pectorals.  It  is  thus  enabled  to  resume  its  flight, 
which  it  finishes  finally  with  a  splash.  While  in  the  air  it  re- 
sembles a  large  dragon-fly.  The  motion  is  very  swift,  at  first  in 
a  straight  line,  but  later  deflected  in  a  curve.  The  motion  has 
no  relation  to  the  direction  of  the  wind.  When  a  vessel  is 
passing  through  a  school  of  these  fishes,  they  spring  up  before 
it,  moving  in  all  directions,  as  grasshoppers  in  a  meadow  before 
the  mower. 

During  a  winter  voyage  from  Norfolk  to  Porto  Rico  flying- 
fish  were  seen  at  nearly  all  times.  The  species  was  chiefly 
Parexocoetus  mesogaster,  and  they  were  particularly  abundant 
between  Savannah  and  the  Bahamas,  in  the  Windward  and  Mona 
passages,  and  along  the  north  coasts  of  Cuba,  Santo  Domingo, 
and  Porto  Rico. 

And  as  one  goes  from  San  Francisco  to  Honolulu  in  June 
great  schools  of  the  same  species  greet  the  vessel  as  it  comes 
in  sight  of  Diamond  Head,  and  continue  to  play  about  it  until 
well  within  the  harbour. 


245 


THE  SAURIES 

Family  XXIII.     Scombresocida 

THIS  family  contains  2  genera,  Scombresox,  which  has  the 
beak  longer  than  rest  of  head,  and  Cololabis,  with  the  beak  about 
half  as  long  as  head. 

The  single  species  of  Scombresox,  S.  saurus,  is  known  as  the 
saury,  skipper,  or  bluefish.  It  is  found  in  temperate  parts  of  the 
Atlantic,  on  both  coasts,  north  to  Cape  Cod  and  France.  They 
swim  in  schools,  and  are  often  seen  in  the  open  sea. 

When  pursued  by  the  tunny  or  mackerels,  "multitudes 
mount  to  the  surface  and  crowd  on  each  other  as  they  press  for- 
ward. When  still  more  closely  pursued  they  spring  to  the 
height  of  several  feet,  leap  over  each  other  in  singular  confusion, 
and  again  sink  beneath.  Still  further  urged,  they  mount  again 
and  rush  along  the  surface,  by  repeated  starts,  for  more  than  100 
feet,  without  once  dipping  beneath,  or  scarcely  seeming  to  touch 
the  water.  At  last  the  pursuer  springs  after  them,  usually  across 
their  course,  and  again  they  all  disappear  together.  Amidst  such 
multitudes — for  more  than  20,000  have  been  judged  to  be  out  of 
the  water  together — some  must  fall  a  prey  to  the  enemy;  but  so 
many  hunting  in  company,  it  must  be  long  before  the  pursuers 
abandon.  From  inspection  we  could  scarcely  judge  the  fish  to 
be  capable  of  such  flights,  for  the  fins,  though  numerous,  are 
small,  and  the  pectoral  far  from  large,  though  the  angle  of  their 
articulation  is  well  adapted  to  raise  the  fish  by  the  direction  of 
their  motions,  to  the  surface." — Goode. 

The  skipper  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches,  and  is  a  good, 
wholesome  food-fish. 

Cololabis  brevirostris  is  found  on  the  California  coast  from 
San  Francisco  southward.  It  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot  or  more, 
and  is  used  to  some  extent  as  food. 


246 


THE   SAND   ROLLERS 

Family  XXIV.     Percopsida 

THIS  small  family  is  of  special  interest  because  it  combines 
with  ordinary  Salmonoid  characters  the  structure  of  the  head  and 
mouth  of  the  Percoids,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  accompanying 
illustration.  Only  2  genera  known,  each  with  a  single  species. 
Percopsis  guttatus,  the  common  sand  roller  or  trout  perch,  is  found 


in  lakes  and  suitable  streams  from  Lake  Champlain  and  the  Del- 
aware River,  west  to  Kansas  and  Assiniboia.  It  prefers  cold, 
clear  waters,  and  is  most  abundant  in  the  Great  Lakes,  particu- 
larly in  Lakes  Michigan  and  Superior.  It  spawns  in  the  spring, 
at  which  time  it  runs  into  tributary  streams  in  great  numbers. 
Mr.  Andrew  Halkett,  Naturalist  of  the  Department  of  Marine  and 
Fisheries,  Ottawa,  informs  us  that  immense  numbers  are  seen  in 
the  Moira  River  every  spring. 

Though  reaching  a  length  of  only  6  or  8  inches,  the  sand 
roller  takes  the  hook  readily,  and  is  used  as  a  pan-fish.  We 
have  seen  boys  on  the  Chicago  piers  catching  them  in  great 
numbers.  Columbia  transmontana  is  known  only  from  the 
Umatilla  River  at  Umatilla,  Oregon,  and  the  Walla  Walla  River  at 
Wallula,  Washington,  both  places  in  the  Columbia  River  Basin 


247 


THE  SILVERSIDES 

Family  XXV.    Atherinidce 

THE  silversides  are  interesting  carnivorous  fishes,  mostly  of 
small  size,  living  in  great  schools  near  the  shore  in  temperate  and 
tropical  seas;  a  few  species  in  fresh  water;  all  the  species  having 
a  silvery  band  along  the  side,  this  sometimes  underlaid  by  black 
pigment.  Genera  about  15;  species  about  70.  All  of  them  which 
are  large  enough  are  highly  prized  as  food,  hence  the  common 
name  "fishes  of  the  king,"  pescados  del  rey,  pesce  re,  or  peixe 
rey. 

The  majority  of  the  species,  however,  are  too  small  and 
unimportant  to  merit  more  than  a  brief  mention.  The  principal 
genera  are  Atherina,  Chirostoma,  Menidia,  Eslopsarum  and 
Labidesthes. 

Atherina  contains  numerous  species  5  or  6  of  which  are  found 
in  our  waters.  A.  laticeps,  found  abundantly  at  Key  West,  is  the 
most  important  species. 

The  genus  Chirostoma  is  represented  in  the  fresh  waters  of 
Mexico  by  several  species,  the  most  important  of  which  is  the 


pescado  bianco  de  chalco  ( C.  humboldtianum),  which  is  found  in  the 
lakes  about  the  City  of  Mexico  and  is  an  important  food-fish. 

Its  flesh  is  coarser  and  firmer  than  in  the  more  transparent  mem- 
bers of  the  family  which  are  called  pescado  bianco. 


The   Silversides 

The  genus  Eslopsarum  is  close  to  Chirostoma,  differing  only  in 
the  larger  scales.  Only  2  species  are  known,  both  from  fresh  waters 
of  Mexico. 

The  true  silversides  (Menidia)  are  numerous  as  to  species,  there 
being  about  a  dozen  or  more  in  our  waters. 

They  are  all  of  small  size,  some  entering  or  dwelling  in  fresh 
waters,  and  all  of  some  little  value  as  food. 

The  more  common  species  enter  largely  into  the  aggregation 
of  species  known  as  whitebait. 

The  genus  Labidesthes  contains  one  species,  L.  sicculus,  a  small 
transparent  fish,  known  as  the  lake  silverside  or  skipjack,  which  is 
abundant  in  most  of  the  Great  Lakes  and  the  small  lakes  of  the 
upper  Mississippi  Valley. 

In  some  lakes  it  is  exceedingly  abundant,  swimming  in  immense 
schools  at  the  surface  near  the  shore,  or,  on  occasion,  far  out  in  the 
lake.  Late  in  the  fall,  even  after  ice  has  begun  to  form  around  the 
edges  of  the  lake,  these  little  fishes  come  in  immense  schools  along 
the  shores  where  they  may  be  seen  swimming  slowly  about  on  quiet 
sunny  days.  They  are  easily  frightened  and  the  least  disturbance 
causes  them  to  skurry  in  all  directions,  many  of  them  skipping  over 
the  surface  of  the  water.  Large  schools  may  often  be  seen  moving 
slowly  about  under  the  ice  in  shallow  water.  Sometimes  a  strong 
wind  will  drive  or  wash  them  on  shore  where  large  numbers  perish. 
It  is  a  very  graceful  little  fish,  reaching  3  to  4  inches  in  length. 


249 


THE  MULLETS 

Family  XXVI.      Mugilida 

BODY  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with  rather  large, 
cycloid  scales;  no  lateral  line,  but  the  furrows  often  deepened  on  the 
middle  of  each  scale  so  as  to  form  lateral  streaks;  mouth  small,  the 
jaws  with  small  teeth,  or  none,  various  in  form;  premaxillaries  pro- 
tractile; gill-openings  wide,  the  membranes  separate,  free  from 
the  isthmus;  branchiostegals  5  or  6;  gillrakers  long  and  slender; 
pseudobranchiae  large;  two  short  dorsal  fins,  well  separated,  the 
anterior  of  4  stiff  spines,  the  last  one  of  which  is  much  shorter 
than  the  others;  second  dorsal  longer  than  the  first,  similar  to  anal; 
anal  spines  2  or  3,  graduated ;  ventral  fins  abdominal,  not  far  back; 
caudal  forked;  air-bladder  large  and  simple;  intestine  long;  peri- 
toneum usually  black. 

This  important  family  contains  about  10  genera  and  100  species, 
inhabiting  the  fresh  waters  and  coasts  of  warm  regions,  feeding  on 
organic  matter  contained  in  mud.  A  considerable  indigestible  portion 
of  mud  is  swallowed,  and  in  order  to  prevent  larger  bodies  from 
passing  into  the  stomach,  or  such  substances  passing  through 
the  gill-openings,  these  fishes  have  the  organs  of  the  pharynx 
modified  into  a  filtering  apparatus.  The  fish  takes  in  a  quantity  of 
mud  or  sand,  and  after  working  it  about  for  some  time  between  the 
pharyngeal  bones,  ejects  the  roughest  and  indigestible  portions.  The 
upper  pharyngeals  have  a  rather  irregular  form;  they  are  slightly 
arched,  the  convexity  being  directed  toward  the  pharyngeal  cavity, 
tapering  anteriorly  and  broad  posteriorly.  They  are  coated  with  a 
thick,  soft  membrane,  which  reaches  far  beyond  the  margin  of  the 
bone,  and  is  studded  all  over  with  minute  horny  cilia.  Each  bran- 
chial arch  is  provided  with  a  series  of  long  gillrakers  which  are 
laterally  bent  downward,  each  series  closly  fitting  to  the  sides 
of  the  adjoining  arch;  they  together  thus  constitute  a  sieve  admirably 
adapted  to  permit  a  transit  for  the  water,  retaining  at  the  same  time 
every  solid  substance  in  the  cavity  of  the  pharynx. 

In  our  limits  4  genera  are  represented. 

a.    Stomach  muscular,  gizzard-like;    teeth  slender,  usually  ciliiform; 
lower  jaw  angular  in  front;  species  chiefly  marine. 


The   Mullets 

b.  Orbit  with  a  well  developed  adipose  eyelid,  covering  part  of  iris; 

Mugil,  251 

bb.   Orbit  without  distinct  adipose  eyelid; Chcenomugil,  256 

aa.   Stomach   not  gizzard-like;   teeth  not  ciliiform;    lower  jaw   not 
angular  in  front ;  freshwater  species. 

c.  Teeth  in  villiform  bands ; Agonostomus,  256 

cc.   Teeth    coarse,    broad,   truncate    incisors   with    their   free   edges 

serrate ; Joturus,  257 


GENUS  MUGIL  LINN^US 
The  Mullets 

This  genus   of  well-known   fishes    is   sufficiently   characterized 
above. 

a.  Soft  dorsal   and   anal  almost  naked;  side  with  dark  longitudinal 

stripes    along    the    rows    of   scales;    caudal    deeply    forked; 
size  large. 

b.  Scales  about  33   in   longitudinal   series; brasiliensis,  251 

bb.    Scales  about  41    in   longitudinal  series; cephalus,  252 

aa.   Soft  dorsal  and   anal   scaled;   side   without   dark  stripes  along 

rows  of  scales;   caudal  less   deeply   forked;  size   smaller. 

c.  Anal   rays   III,   9;   scales  35   to  45. 

d.  Scales  42  to  45. 

e.  Head  4%  in  length ; incilis,  254 

ee.    Head  3!  in   length ; thoburni,  254 

dd.    Scales  35   to  38. 

/.    Pectoral   not  nearly   reaching  origin   of  dorsal; curema,  254 

ff.    Pectoral   nearly   reaching  origin   of  dorsal. 

g.  Teeth    rather    wide-set,    very    small,    mostly    uniserial,    scarcely 

visible   in   adult   without  lens. 
h.   Scales  38;   bare  space  between   dentary   bones   very   large; 

hospes,  255 

hh.   Scales  35   or  36;   bare   space  between  dentary  bones  small; 

gaimardianus,  255 

gg.   Teeth   large,  in   many   series   above; setosus,  255 

cc.    Anal  rays   III,  8;   scales   very  large,  about   33 ; • . trich odon,  255 

Liza ;    Lebrancho  ;    Queriman 

Mugil  brasiliensis    Agassiz 

This   mullet  is  found  from  Cuba  to   Patagonia.     It  is  common 
in  the  West  Indies  and  along  the  coast  of  Brazil.     It  is  abundant 

251 


Common    Mullet ;    Striped   Mullet 

in  the  Havana  market  where  it  is  called  lebrancho.  It  is  the 
most  abundant  mullet  seen  in  the  market  at  San  Juan,  Porto 
Rico,  and  is  perhaps  the  most  common  species  about  that  island. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches  and  is  an  excellent  and  im- 
portant food-fish,  the  flesh  being  white  and  flaky  and  of  delicious 
flavour. 

Head  4;  depth  4^;  D.  IV-I,  8;  A.  Ill,  8;  scales  35,- 12. 
Body  more  slender  than  in  any  other  American  species;  snout 
broad  and  bluntish,  the  upper  profile  almost  straight  and  horizon- 
tal; interorbital  space  greatly  convex,  its  width  2  in  head;  pre- 
orbital  large,  almost  covering  maxillary;  eye  hidden  anteriorly  and 
posteriorly  by  a  broad  adipose  membrane;  teeth  very  minute; 
scales  large,  especially  on  top  of  head,  about  21  between  origin 
of  dorsal  and  tip  of  snout;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  almost  naked; 
margin  of  soft  dorsal  very  concave;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal, 
but  slightly  less  concave;  caudal  deeply  forked.  Colour,  dusky 
above,  silvery  below;  a  dusky  streak  along  each  row  of  scales, 
these  streaks  not  so  wide  as  in  M.  cephalus\  scales  on  sides 
and  opercles  with  dark  punctulations;  ventrals  pale  yellowish, 
the  fins  otherwise  dusky. 


Common   Mullet  ;    Striped   Mullet 

Mugil  cephalus   Linnaeus 

The  common  mullet  is  a  fish  of  very  wide  distribution, 
occurring  on  the  coasts  of  southern  Europe  and  northern  Africa, 
on  the  Atlantic  Coast  of  America  from  Cape  Cod  to  Brazil,  and 
on  our  Pacific  Coast  from  Monterey  to  Chile.  It  goes  in  great 
schools  and  is  everywhere  abundant  in  bays,  lagoons,  and  all 
sheltered  waters.  It  reaches  a  length  of  about  2  feet  and  is  a 

25* 


Common  Mullet ;    Striped  Mullet 

food-fish  of  much  importance.  Although  mullets  of  some  species 
or  other  are  found  on  every  stretch  of  coast-line  in  the  world 
in  the  temperate  and  tropical  zones,  it  is  probable  that  nowhere 
else  in  the  world  are  they  so  abundant  as  on  our  own  South 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts,  with  their  broad  margin  of  partially  or 
entirely  land-locked  brackish  waters,  numerous  estuaries  and 
broad  river-mouths.  They  abound  in  the  Indian  and  St.  John's 
rivers  of  Florida,  frequently  running  up  the  latter  at  least  to  Lake 
George.  Among  the  Florida  Keys  and  on  the  west  coast  of 
Florida,  as  well  as  along  the  entire  Gulf  Coast  they  literally  swarm 
in  all  suitable  places.  It  is  the  most  generally  popular  and  most 
abundant  food-fish  on  our  southern  seaboard.  Its  abundance  puts 
it  within  the  reach  of  everybody,  blacks  as  well  as  whites. 
"How  do  you  people  live?"  asked  the  invalid  who  had  gone 
to  Florida  to  escape  the  rigours  of  the  New  England  winter. 
"Well,  suh,  the  fac'  is,  boss,"  replied  his  old  Negro  guide,  "in 
the  summuh  time  we  libs  on  de  mullet  and  in  the  winter  we 
libs  mos'ly  on  de  sick  Yankee." 

The  mullet  does  not  usually  take  the  hook  but  is  caught 
chiefly  in  seines,  gillnets,  or  by  means  of  cast-nets,  enormous 
catches  being  sometimes  made.  In  preparing  the  mullet  for  the 
table  it  may  be  either  boiled,  stewed,  baked  or  fried.  Large 
quantities  are  salted  for  local  use  or  shipment  north,  and  many 
barrels  are  shipped  fresh  to  northern  cities.  The  mullet  roe  is 
also  considered  a  delicacy;  and  large  quantities  of  mullets  are 
used  for  bait  in  the  various  hand-line  fisheries  of  our  southern 
waters. 

The  mullet  is  a  bottom-feeder  and  prefers  still,  shoal  water 
with  grassy  and  sandy  or  muddy  bottom.  It  swims  along  the 
bottom,  head  down,  now  and  then  taking  a  mouthful  of  mud, 
which  is  partially  culled  over  in  the  mouth,  the  microscopic 
particles  of  animal  or  vegetable  matter  retained,  and  the  refuse 
expelled.  When  one  fish  finds  a  spot  rich  in  the  desired  food, 
its  companions  immediately  flock  around  in  a  manner  reminding 
one  of  barn-yard  fowls  feeding  from  a  dish.  The  mullet  eats 
no  fish  or  anything  of  any  size,  but  is  preyed  upon  by  nearly 
all  other  common  fishes  larger  than  itself. 

Colour,  dark  bluish  above,  sides  silvery,  with  a  conspicuous 
dark  stripe  along  each  row  of  scales;  under  parts  pale  yellowish; 
ventral  fins  yellowish,  the  other  fins  more  or  less  dusky. 

253 


The  Trench  Mullet 

Trench    Mullet 

Mugil  incilis   Hancock 

This  mullet  is  known  only  from  brackish  waters  from  the 
Rio  Chagres  to  Bahia,  and  is  said  to  be  common.  We  know 
nothing  distinctive  regarding  its  habits. 

Galapagos  Mullet 

Mugil  thoburni  Jordan  &  Starks 

This  small  mullet  reaches  a  length  of  8  inches  or  more  and 
is  known  only  from  the  Pacific  Coast  of  tropical  America  from 
Guatemala  to  the  Galapagos  Islands.  It  is  close  to  M.  incilis, 
from  which  it  differs  chiefly  in  the  larger  head. 


White  Mullet;   Blue-back   Mullet;   Liza  Blanca 

Mugil  curema  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes 

This  mullet  occurs  from  Cape  Cod  to  Brazil  on  our  Atlantic 
Coast,  and  on  the  Pacific  side  from  Chile  to  Lower  California. 
It  is  abundant,  especially  in  the  tropics,  and  enters  the  sea  more 
freely  than  M.  cephalus,  next  to  which  it  is  the  most  important 
food  species  of  the  family  in  our  waters.  It  is  a  common  fish 
in  the  markets  of  Porto  Rico  where  it  is  called  "Liza"  or 
"Josea."  Like  the  striped  mullet,  it  enters  fresh  water,  speci- 

254 


The  Lisita 

mens   having  been   obtained  by    us  from  freshwater  streams    near 
Caguas,   the  interior  of  Porto   Rico. 

Colour,  dark  olive  above,  with  some  bluish  reflections;  sil- 
very below;  sides  without  dark  streaks;  a  small  dark  blotch  at 
base  of  pectoral;  pectoral  and  dorsals  pale,  with  numerous  small 
dark  punctulations;  caudal  pale,  yellowish  at  base,  the  margin 
blackish;  anal  and  ventrals  yellowish;  side  of  head  with  2  yellow 
blotches. 


Lisita 

Mugil  hospes  Jordan  &  Culver 

This  little   mullet    is   known    only   from    the    Pacific   Coast    of 
Mexico.      It  is   not  uncommon   about   Mazatlan. 


Red-eye   Mullet;    Liza  Ojo  de  Perdriz 

Mugil  gaimardianus  Desmarest 

This  species  is  found  from  Florida  Keys  to  Cuba,  but  is 
not  at  all  common.  It  reaches  a  length  of  about  a  foot. 

Mugil  setosus  is  known  only  from  the  Revillagigedo  Islands 
and  Mazatlan,  it  being  very  abundant  about  Clarion  Island.  It 
closely  resembles  M.  hospes,  from  which  it  differs  widely,  how- 
ever, in  its  much  larger  multiserial  setas,  and  the  longer,  nar- 
rower mouth.  It  is  of  no  commercial  value  except  locally. 

The    fan-tailed   mullet  (M.    trichodon)    is    found    from    Brazil 

255 


The   Dajaos 

northward    to    Key    West    where    it    is    abundant.     It    attains    a 
length  of  10  inches  and  is  of  some  little  value  as  food. 

The  genus   Chcenomugil,    distinguished  by  the   absence   of   an 
adipose  eyelid,  has  in  our  waters  a  single  species,  C.  proboscideus, 


a  little  mullet,  reaching  6  inches  in  length.  It  occurs  on  our 
Pacific  Coast  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama.  It  is  not  abundant  and 
is  not  of  much  food  value. 


GENUS  AGONOSTOMUS  BENNETT 
The   Dajaos 

This  genus  differs  from  Mugil  chiefly  in  not  having  the 
stomach  gizzard-like.  Cleft  of  mouth  extending  laterally  about 
to  front  of  eye;  teeth  small,  in  villiform  bands  in  each  jaw, 
sometimes  also  on  vomer;  edge  of  lower  lip  rounded;  anal 
spines  usually  2,  the  first  >soft  ray  slender  and  often  taken  for  a 
spine.  Small,  freshwater  mullets  found  in  mountain  streams  in 
tropical  regions.  The  American  species  constitute  the  subgenus 
Dajaus,  characterized  by  the  presence  of  teeth  on  the  palatines. 

Four  species  have  been  recognized  as  occurring  within  our 
limits,  none  being  of  much  importance  as  food. 

The  dajao  ( A.moniicola)  is  found  in  freshwater  streams  of  the 
West  Indies  and  eastern  Mexico,  and  is  the  most  abundant  and  best 

256 


The  Daiaos 


known  species  of  the  genus.     It  is  very  common  in  the  streams  of 
Porto  Rico  and  is  much  used  as  food.     It  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot. 

Colour,  brownish  above,  scales  very  dark-edged  on  upper  f  of 
side;  under  parts  white;  top  of  head  dark;  cheeks  and  opercles 
white  with  brassy  shades;  axil  black;  a  black  blotch  at  base  of  caudal, 
disappearing  with  age;  dorsal  spines  dark;  soft  dorsal  brassy  at 
base,  pale  at  tip;  pectoral  and  ventrals  pale;  anal  yellowish,  pale 
at  tip;  caudal  darker,  yellowish  at  base;  peritoneum  black. 

The  genus  Joturus,  characterized  by  the  simple  stomach  and 
the  coarse  truncate  incisors,  contains  only  one  species.  This  is  the 
joturo  or  bobo  (J.  pilchardi).  This  species  of  mullet  is  an  in- 


habitant of  mountain  torrents  in  the  larger  islands  of  the  West 
Indies,  also  in  Costa  Rica,  and  about  Vera  Cruz  and  Panama.  It 
attains  a  length  of  2  feet  and  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  family. 

It  comes  to  the  Havana  market  from  the  Rio  Almendares  and 
is  a  food-fish  of  some  importance. 

257 


THE    BARRACUDAS 

Family  XXVII.     Sphyr&nidcz 

Body  elongate,  subterete,  covered  with  small  cycloid  scales; 
head  very  long,  pointed,  pike-like,  scaly  above  and  on  sides; 
mouth  large,  horizontal;  jaws  long,  lower  projecting;  upper  jaw 
not  protractile,  its  border  formed  by  the  premaxillaries  behind 
which  are  the  broad  maxillaries;  large,  sharp,  unequal  teeth  on 
both  jaws  and  palatines,  none  on  vomer;  usually  a  very  strong, 
sharp  canine  near  tip  of  lower  jaw;  opercular  bones  without 
spines  or  serrations ;  gill-openings  wide,  the  membranes  not  united, 
free  from  the  isthmus;  gillrakers  very  short  or  obsolete;  pseudo- 
branchiae  well  developed;  lateral  line  well  developed  and  straight. 

The  family  contains  a  single  genus  with  about  20  species,  6 
or  7  of  which  occur  within  our  limits;  only  i  or  2  of  them  are 
much  valued  as  food. 

a.  Scales   large,  75    to    85    in    lateral    line;    origin   of   first    dorsal 

behind   root  of  ventrals,  over  last  third   or  fourth   of  pecto- 
ral ;   body    compressed ; barracuda,  259 

aa.    Scales   moderate,   no  to    130  in    lateral    line;    body    subterete 
or  compressed. 

b.  Pectoral    reaching    front   of   spinous    dorsal;   maxillary   reaching 

front   of  orbit. 

c.  Lower  jaw  with   fleshy  tip;   teeth   very   strong;   scales  no; 

ensis,  259 
cc.    Lower  jaw   without  fleshy   tip;   teeth   strong;   scales    130; 

guachancho,  259 

bb.    Pectoral     not    reaching    front    of   first    dorsal;     maxillary     not 
reaching  front   of  orbit. 

d.  Eye   large;   teeth   small;   interorbital   area  convex;   median  ridge 

of  frontal  groove  not  well  developed; picudilla,  260 

dd.  Eye  small;  teeth  larger;  interorbital  area  flattish;  median  ridge 

of  frontal  groove  prominent ; borealis,  260 

aaa.  Scales  very  small,  150  to  170  in  lateral  line;  origin  of  first 

dorsal  well   behind  tip  of  pectoral;  body  slender,  subterete. 

e.  Body  less  slender,  the  depth  7^;  scales  160  to  I'jo'^argentea,  260 
ee.   Body  very  slender,  the   depth  9  or    10;   scales   about    150; 

sphyrcena,  260 


258 


Great  Barracuda;  Picuda 


Great  Barracuda  ;    Picuda 

Sphyrcena    barracuda    (Walbaum) 

The  great  barracuda  is  found  from  Brazil  northward  through 
the  West  Indies  to  Pensacola,  Charleston  and  the  Bermudas.  It 
is  common  in  the  tropics  and  is  the  largest  and  most  voracious 
of  the  genus,  reaching  a  length  of  6  feet.  It  is  as  fierce  as  a 
shark  and  is  sometimes  very  dangerous  to  bathers.  This  fish  is 
occasionally  taken  with  hook  and  line  at  Key  West  where  it 
has  some  value  as  a  food-fish.  Its  flesh  has  been  reputed 
poisonous  and  at  times  its  sale  in  the  Cuban  markets  has  been 
forbidden.  But  as  a  number  of  the  best  food-fishes  of  the  West 
Indies  have  at  one  time  or  another  been  tabooed  by  Cuban  law, 
this  can  not  be  regarded  as  conclusive  evidence  that  the  flesh 
of  this  fish  is  really  unwholesome. 

Colour,  silvery,  darker  above  j  side  in  young  with  about  10 
dark  blotches  which  break  up  and  disappear  with  age;  some  inky 
spots,  usually  on  posterior  part  of  body,  very  conspicuous  in 
both  old  and  young;  soft  dorsal,  anal  and  ventral  fins  black,  ex- 
cept on  margins;  pectoral  plain,  except  upper  margin  which  is 
black;  fins  of  young  nearly  plain. 

Another  species,  S.  ensis,  occurs  in  the  Gulf  of  California  and 
southward  to  Panama.  It  is  rather  common,  reaches  a  length  of 
2  feet,  and  is  used  as  food.  It  may  be  readily  distinguished 
from  the  only  other  species  known  from  the  west  coast  (the 
California  barracuda)  by  its  larger  scales,  which  are  no  to  130 
in  lateral  line,  instead  of  166  in  the  latter. 

A  third  species  (S.  guachancho),  called  guachanche  or  gua- 
chanche  pelon,  has  about  the  same  distribution  as  the  great 
barracuda  but  is  occasionally  found  as  far  north  as  Woods 
Hole.  It  is  a  slender  species,  reaching  2  feet  in  length,  and  is 
not  uncommon  in  the  tropics.  From  S.  barracuda,  it  may  be 

259 


Great  Barracuda;  Picuda 

known    by    its    smaller    scales  (120   to    130  instead  of  75   to  85). 

The  picudilla  (S.  picudilla)  is  found  from  Bahia  northward 
to  the  West  Indies,  chiefly  about  the  coasts  of  Cuba.  It  does 
not  seem  to  be  common  anywhere.  It  reaches  a  length  of  18 
inches  and  is  closely  allied  to  the  northern  barracuda,  from  which 
it  differs,  however,  in  the  much  larger  eye,  the  smaller  teeth, 
the  convex  interorbital,  and  in  having  the  median  ridge  of  the 
frontal  groove  well  developed. 

The  northern  barracuda  (S.  borealis)  is  the  common  species 
on  the  Atlantic  Coast  of  the  United  States  from  Cape  Fear  to 
Cape  Cod.  It  is  a  small  species,  rarely  used  as  food,  and  closely 
resembles  S.  picudilla. 

The  California  barracuda  (S.  argentea)  occurs  on  our  Pacific 
Coast  from  San  Francisco  to  Cape  San  Lucas,  very  common 
among  the  Santa  Barbara  Islands.  About  Santa  Catalina  Island 
and  San  Diego  it  is  one  of  the  common  and  important  game- 
fishes.  It  reaches  a  length  of  4  or  5  feet.  It  is  a  long,  slender 
fish,  closely  related  to  the  European  barracuda,  from  which  it 
appears  to  differ  chiefly  in  the  somewhat  greater  depth  and 
smaller  scales. 

Sphyrcena  sphyrcena  is  the  common  species  on  the  coasts  of 
Europe  and  neighbouring  islands.  Within  our  limits  it  has  been 
reported  only  from  the  Bermudas.  It  is  known  as  spet  or  sennet. 

Trolling  for  the  great  barracuda  on  the  Florida  coast  is  a 
favourite  sport.  It  is  done  either  from  a  sail-boat  or  row-boat, 
and  a  squid  is  a  choice  bait.  Or,  with  boat  anchored,  they  may 
be  taken  with  tarpon  rod  and  reel,  21  line,  and  wire  snood  i| 
feet  long.  For  bait  use  live  mullet,  spot,  grunt,  or  other  small 
fish.  Do  not  use  a  sinker;  keep  the  bait  on  or  near  the  sur- 
face. When  the  fish  bites,  let  him  run  a  few  feet  and  strike, 
then  play  him  until  he  surrenders. 


260 


THE  THREADFISHES 

Family  XX  VI I L     Polynemida 

THIS  is  a  small  family  of  tropical  fishes  bearing  superficial 
resemblances  to  the  Mugilidce  on  the  one  hand  and  the  Scicenidce 
on  the  other.  They  may  be  distinguished  by  the  abdominal 
ventrals,  the  presence  of  2  dorsal  fins,  the  anterior  of  spines 
only,  and  by  having  the  lower  5  to  8  rays  of  the  ventral  fin 
detached  and  filamentous.  The  family  contains  4  genera  and 
about  25  species,  only  2  of  the  former  and  about  5  of  the  latter 
being  found  in  our  waters. 

The  2  genera  of  this  family  (Polynemus  and  Polydactylus) 
both  have  species  in  our  waters,  only  those  of  the  latter  being 
of  any  value. 

Polydactylus  differs  from  Polynemus  in  the  shorter  soft  dorsal, 
the  serrate  preopercle,  and  the  toothed  vomer.  Numerous  species 
in  warm  seas,  but  only  4  within  our  limits. 

a.  Pectoral  filaments   6,    rarely   5 ; approximans,   261 

aa.    Pectoral   filaments   7 ; -virginicus,   261 

aaa.    Pectoral  filaments  8   or  9. 

b.  Maxillary  less  than  ^  length   of  head;    pectoral   filaments   8; 

octonemus,  262 

bb     Maxillary    more    than    £    length    of    head;    pectoral    filaments 
usually  9 ; opercularis,   262 

Polydactylus  approximans.  whose  only  vernacular  name  is 
raton,  is  found  on  the  Pacific  Coast  of  tropical  America  from 
San  Diego  to  Panama.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and  is  a 
common  food-fish  at  Guaymas,  Mazatlan  and  Panama. 

Colour,  yellowish  white,  darker  above;  pectoral  black  in  adult. 

The  barbudo  or  barbu  (P.  virginicus}  is  an  abundant  and 
useful  food-fish,  found  throughout  the  West  Indies  and  north  to 
the  Florida  Keys.  About  Porto  Rico  it  is  common  and  highly 
esteemed.  It  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot. 

Colour,  whitish-olive  above,  dirty  white  below;  spinous  dorsal 
dark;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  pale,  with  dark  punctulations;  pec- 

261 


The   Threadfishes 

toral   with   irregular  black    blotches,    the    filaments   white;   ventrals 
dark,  paler  on  margins. 

The  threadfish   (P.  octonemus)  occurs  along  our  South  Atlantic 
and    Gulf    coasts    from    New    York    to    the   Rio     Grande.      It    is 


rather    rare    northward,     but     is     more    common    on     the    Texas 
coast.      It  frequents  sandy   shores. 

Colour,  light  olivaceous,  tinged  with  dark  punctulations; 
belly  whitish;  pectorals  pale  in  the  young,  black  in  the  adult. 

The  young  of  some  species  of  thread-fish,  probably  P.  octo- 
nemus, are  common  along  the  Texas  coast  where  they  are  often 
seen  in  large  numbers  in  shallow  water  on  sandy  bottom.  These 
fishes  vary  greatly  with  age,  the  pectoral  filaments  becoming 
much  shorter  with  age. 

P.  opercularis  is  an  unimportant  species  found  on  our  Pacific 
Coast  from  Cape  San  Lucas  to  Panama.  It  is  generally  common 
and  reaches  only  a  few  inches  in  length. 


262 


THE  SAND  LAUNCES 

Family  XXIX.     Ammo dy tides 

THE  sand  launces  constitute  a  small  family  of  small,  saltwater 
fishes  found  chiefly  in  northern  regions.  The  single  genus,  Am- 
modyles,  contains  j  or  4  species  on  our  northern  coasts.  A. 
alascanns  occurs  in  the  North  Pacific.  It  reaches  a  length  of 
6  to  8  inches  and  is  a  delicious  panfish. 

The   common  sand   launce,  sand  eel,  or  lant   (A.  americanus) 


Common  Sand  Launce 


is  abundant  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  from  Cape  Hatteras  northward. 
A.  personatus  is  another  Pacific  species,  being  common  from 
Monterey  northward.  It  is  particularly  abundant  on  sandy  shores 
about  Unalaska  where  we  have  seined  it  in  very  great  numbers. 
All  these  species  are  delicious  little  fishes,  the  flesh  being  firm 
and  sweet,  similar  to  that  of  the  smelt. 

They  swim  in  immense  schools  at  the  surface,  and  frequently 
imbed  themselves  in  the  sand  where  they  often  remain  above 
low-water  mark  while  the  tide  is  out.  Why  they  do  this  is  not 
well  understood,  for  they  are  wanderers,  sometimes  appearing  in 
immense  numbers  on  the  coast  and  then  disappearing  as  mys- 
teriously as  they  came.  With  their  sharp  noses  and  slender 
bodies  they  have  little  difficulty  in  imbedding  themselves  several 
inches  deep  in  the  soft  sand.  On  the  sands  of  Portobello,  near 
Edinburgh,  people  take  advantage  of  this  habit,  and  when  it  is 
discovered  that  a  shoal  of  sand-eels  have  hidden  in  the  sand,  they 
sally  out,  armed  with  spades,  rakes,  shovels,  and  forks  and  dig 
them  out.  When  free  of  the  sand  they  leap  about  with  great 
agility,  and  the  fun  in  catching  them  probably  give  rise  to  the  say- 
ing, "as  jolly  as  a  sand-boy," 


263 


THE   SQUIRREL-FISHES 

Family  XXX.     Holocentridcz 

BODY  oblong  or  ovate,  moderately  compressed,  covered  with 
very  strong  ctenoid  or  spinous  scales;  head  with  large  muciferous 
cavities;  eyes  lateral,  very  large;  preorbital  very  narrow;  mouth 
moderate,  oblique;  premaxillaries  protractile;  maxillary  very  large, 
with  supplemental  bone;  bands  of  villiform  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer 
and  palatines;  opercular  and  membrane  bones  of  head  generally 
serrated  or  spinescent  along  their  edges;  branchiostegals  8;  gill- 
membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus ;  pseudobranchiae  present; 
no  barbels;  sides  of  head  scaly;  lateral  line  present;  dorsal  fin  very 
long,  deeply  divided,  with  about  1 1  strong  spines  depressible  in 
a  scaly  groove;  anal  with  4  spines,  the  third  longest  and  strongest; 
ventrals  thoracic,  with  one  spine  and  7  rays;  caudal  deeply 
forked,  with  sharp  rudimentary  rays  or  fulcra  at  base;  vertebras 
about  27;  pyloric  coeca  8  to  25;  air-bladder  large,  sometimes  con- 
nected with  the  organ  of  hearing.  General  colour  red.  Genera 
4,  species  about  70,  gaily-coloured  inhabitants  of  tropical  seas, 
abounding  about  coral  reefs.  Only  4  genera  and  about  12  species 
in  our  waters. 

a.  Preopercle  without  conspicuous   spine  at  its  angle. 

b.  Scales   very  large  and   rough,  about  30; Ostichthys,  264 

bb.  Scales   moderate,  35  to  45 ; ." Myrtpristis,  265 

aa.  Preopercle  with   a   conspicuous  spine. 

c.  Suborbital  arch  simply  serrated,    scales   moderate. 

d.  Mouth   moderate;  lower    jaw  slightly    included,    its    length  less 

than   half  head ; Holocentrus,  265 

dd.-  Mouth    very    large;    lower    jaw     projecting,   its     length    more 

than  half  head ; Flammeo,  266 

cc.  Suborbital    arch    armed    with    three    long    spines    curved    for- 
ward   Plectrypops,  267 

The  genus  Ostichthys  is  known  by  its  very  large  scales.  The 
single  species,  O.  trachypomus,  is  found  only  in  the  West  Indies, 
particularly  about  Cuba,  and  even  there  it  appears  to  be  rare. 
Colour,  carmine  red,  darker  above;  side  with  about  10  alternate 
streaks  of  deep  red  and  rose;  fins  all  red. 


264 


GENUS  MYRIPRISTIS  CUVIER 

This  genus  is  closely  related  to  Holocentrus,  from  which  it 
differs  externally  chiefly  in  the  absence  of  the  large  spine  at  the 
angle  of  the  preopercle.  Air-bladder  divided  into  2  parts  by  a 
transverse  constriction;  pyloric  cceca  9. 

Species  rather  numerous  in  tropical  seas;  gay-coloured  inhabi- 
tants of  coral  reefs  and  rock  pools.  Four  species  in  our  waters, 
none  of  them  of  much  value  as  food. 

The  most  important  of  these  is  the  candil,  or  frere-jacques 
(M.  jacobus),  which  is  a  common  fish  in  the  West  Indies  and 
south  to  Brazil.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length,  but  is  of  little  food- 
value. 

Colour,  deep  crimson,  paler  below;  a  blood-red  bar  across 
opercle  and  base  of  pectoral,  becoming  black  in  spirits;  fins  red, 
the  vertical  ones  edged  with  whitish.  A  brilliantly  coloured 
fish. 

Myripristis  occidentalis  is  a  small  species,  reaching  a  length 
of  only  6  inches,  occurring  only  on  the  Pacific  Coast  of  Mexico; 
said  to  be  common  in  rock  pools  about  Cape  San  Lucas. 

Colour,  reddish,  purple  above,  silvery  below,  with  many ,  dark 
points,  especially  along  edges  of  scales;  fins  pale,  except  a  darker 
border  along  spinous  dorsal. 


GENUS  HOLOCENTRUS  SCOPOLI 
The  Squirrel-fishes 

Body  oblong,  moderately  compressed,  ventral  outline  nearly 
straight,  the  back  a  little  elevated,  the  caudal  peduncle  very  slender; 
head  compressed,  narrowed  forward ;  opercle  with  a  strong  spine  above, 
below  which  the  edge  is  sharply  serrate;  a  strong  spine  at  angle  of 
preopercle;  orbital  ring,  preorbital,  preopercle,  interopercle,  subopercle, 
occiput,  and  shoulder-girdle  with  their  edges  sharply  serrate;  mouth 
small,  terminal,  the  lower  jaw  slightly  included;  maxillary  broad, 
striate,  with  a  supplemental  bone;  eye  very  large;  scales  mode- 
rate, closely  imbricated,  the  free  margins  strongly  spinous;  lateral 

265 


Squirrel-fish  ;  Candil 

line  continuous;  dorsal  deeply  emarginate,  the  spines  usually  n, 
depressible  in  a  groove;  soft  dorsal  short  and  high;  anal  with  4 
spines,  the  first  and  second  quite  small,  the  third  very  long  and 
strong,  the  fourth  smaller;  caudal  widely  forked,  both  lobes  with 
rudimentary  rays  spine-like;  ventrals  large,  I,  7,  the  spine  very 
strong. 

Species  numerous,  remarkable  for  the  great  development  of 
sharp  spines  almost  everywhere  on  the  surface  of  the  body. 
About  8  or  9  species  in  our  waters. 

Squirrel-fish  ;    Candil 

Holocentrus  ascensionis  (Osbeck) 

This  fish  frequents  rocks  and  reefs  throughout  the  West 
Indies  and  is  especially  abundant  in  Cuba.  It  is  common  about 
Porto  Rico  where  it  attracts  at  once  by  reason  of  its  brilliant 
colouration  and  the  excessive  sharpness  and  completeness  of  its 
armature.  It  is  a  beautiful  fish,  reaching  a  length  of  i  to  2 
feet,  not  much  valued  as  food,  but  often  seen  in  the  markets. 
It  occurs  as  far  north  as  Florida  and  has  been  taken  at  St.  Helena. 


Head  3^;  depth  3^;  eye  2f;  snout  4;  maxillary  2^;  man- 
dible 2;  interorbital  2  in  eye;  D.  XI,  15;  A.  IV,  10;  scales 
4-48-7,-  6  before  dorsal;  cceca  25;  vertebrae  11  +  16.  Body  con- 
siderably compressed,  back  moderately  elevated.  Colour,  bright 
rosy-red,  paler  below;  shining  longitudinal  streaks  along  rows  of 
scales;  fins  light  red;  spinous  dorsal  largely  golden-olive,  the 
edge  scarlet;  head  very  red  above,  a  white  bar  downward  and 
backward  from  eye;  colours  all  fading  in  alcohol. 

In  the  Bahamas  is  found  subspecies  rufus,  in  which  the  pre- 
opercular  spine  reaches  about  to  root  of  pectoral. 


GENUS  FLAMMEO  JORDAN  &  EYERMANN 

This  genus  is  distinguished  from  Holocentrus  by  the  very 
large  mouth  and  projecting  lower  jaw  which  is  more  than  half 
the  head  in  length.  The  single  known  species  is  the  marian, 

266 


SQUIRREL-PISH.  Holocentrus  ascensionis 


BONITO,  Sarda  sarda.     DEAD 


The  Marian 


F.  marianus,  which  is  found  only  about  Cuba.  It  is  of  little 
importance  as  a  food-fish. 

The  genus  Plectrypops  differs  from  Holocentrus  chiefly  in 
having  the  preopercle  armed  with  3  strong  teeth  which  are 
curved  forward.  The  single  species  (P.  retrospinis)  is  known 
only  from  Cuba. 

About  the  coral  reefs  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands  are  many 
different  species  of  squirrel-fishes,  all  exceedingly  brilliant  in 
colouration.  In  the  language  of  the  natives  they  are  called 
"aleihi."  All  of  the  species  are  more  or  less  red,  some  being 
solid  red,  others  red  with  narrow  longitudinal  stripes  of  yellow 
or  white;  and  others  with  the  fins  rich  lemon  yellow  edged  more 
or  less  with  red. 


•67 


THE  SURMULLETS 

Family   XXXI.     M2illidcs 

THIS  family  is  briefly  characterized  by  having  the  ventrals 
definitely  I,  5,  thoracic  and  separate,  gill-openings  in  front  of 
pectorals,  the  body  covered  with  large,  slightly  ctenoid  scales, 
the  suborbital  without  a  bony  stay,  2  dorsal  fins  remote  from 
each  other,  both  short,  the  first  of  6  to  8  rather  high  spines, 
pectoral  entire,  no  finlets,  lateral  line  unarmed,  and  throat  with 
2  long  barbels. 

Genera  about  5,  species  about  40;  found  in  all  tropical  seas, 
many  of  them  highly  valued  as  food.  In  our  waters  there  are  3 
genera  and  about  8  species. 

a.  Teeth  on   lower  jaw,    vomer  and   palatines ; Mullus,  268 

aa.  Teeth  on   both  jaws;    vomer  and    palatines  toothless. 

b.  Teeth    small,   subequal,  in   villiform   bands   in   both  jaws;... 

Mulloides,  269 

bb.  Teeth    rather    strong,    unequal,    in    one    or  2    series    in     each 
jaw ' Upeneus,  270 


GENUS  MULLUS  LINNsEUS 
The  Surmullets 

Villiform  teeth  on  the  lower  law,  and  on  vomer  ancr  palatines, 
none  in  the  upper  jaw,  the  bone  forming  a  hook  over  the  max- 
illary well  developed;  no  spines  on  opercle;  interorbital  space  wide 
and  flat;  otherwise  as  in  Upeneus,  the  head  rather  shorter. 

The  single  species  of  this  genus  in  our  waters  is  the  red 
mullet,  or  red  goat-fish  (M.  auratus)  which  is  found  on  our  At- 
lantic coast  from  Cape  Cod  to  Pensacola.  It  is  occasionally  taken 
in  some  numbers  at  Woods  Hole,  and  is  sometimes  plentiful 
about  Sandy  Hook  in  September  and  October. 

On  the  Red  Snapper  Banks  off  the  west  coast  of  Florida  it 
is  frequently  found  in  the  spewings  of  snappers  and  groupers. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  8  inches,  and  is  closely  related  to  the 

268 


The  Surmullets 


European  M.  barbatus,  and  even  closer  to  M.  surmuletus,  from 
which  it  differs  chiefly  in  having  the  fins  lower,  and  having  a 
yellow  instead  of  a  black  dorsal  band.  It  is  not  abundant  enough 
to  be  of  any  value  as  a  food-fish. 

Colour,  scarlet,  becoming  crimson  where  the  scales  are  removed; 
snout  scarlet;  side  with  2  distinct  yellow  bands;  caudal  scarlet; 
first  dorsal  with  an  orange  band  at  base  and  a  yellow  band  higher 
up,  rest  of  fin  pale;  second  dorsal  mottled  scarlet  and  pale;  anal 
and  ventrals  plain,  pectorals  reddish;  iris  violet,  dusky  above, 
sides  of  head  with  silvery  lustre. 

The  genus  Mulloides  is  distinguished  by  having  its  teeth  in 
villiform  bands. 


The  single  species  found  in  our  waters  is  Mulloides  rathbuni, 
which  occurs  in  the  Gulf  of  California. 

269 


GENUS   UPENEUS   CUWER 
The  Goatfishes 

Body  oblong,  compressed;  mouth  moderate,  nearly  horizontal, 
low,  the  jaws  subequal;  eye  large,  high  up,  posterior;  opercle  short 
and  deep,  with  a  posterior  spine;  each  jaw  with  strong,  unequal 
teeth,  in  i  or  2  series;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines;  lips 
well  developed;  the  bone  which  forms  a  hook  over  the  maxillary 
less  developed  than  in  Mullus;  interorbital  space  convex  and 
narrow;  opercle  ending  in  one  spine;  barbels  nearly  as  long  as 
head;  scales  very  large,  somewhat  ctenoid;  lateral  line  continuous; 
head  covered  with  large  scales. 

Species  numerous  in  tropical  seas.  About  7  species  within 
our  limits. 

a.  Teeth  in   each  jaw   uniserial   (or  irregularly  biserial  above);   all 

the  teeth  coarse  and  distinct; maculatus,  270 

aa.   Teeth  on  each  jaw  biserial,  at  least  in  front. 

b.  Dorsal  and  caudal  with  dark  crossbands; parvus,  271 

bb.   Dorsal  and  caudal  plain  yellow ; martinicus,  27 1 


Red  Goatfish;  Salmonete 

Upeneus  maculatus  (Bloch) 

Generally  common  from   Rio  Janeiro  through  the  West  Indies 
to  Key  West.     It  occurs  in   abundance  about    Porto  Rico  where 

270 


Yellow  Goatfish  ;    Salmonete  Amarilla 

it  is  used  extensively  as  a  food-fish.     It  reaches  a  length  of  about 
10  inches. 


Head  3^;  depth  3^;  eye  4  to  5;  snout  if;  maxillary  3^-;  man- 
dible 2f;  interorbital  3f  ;  preorbital  3^-;  D.  VII-I,  8;  A.  II,  7;  pectoral 
i|;  ventral  if;  caudal  i|-;  scales  3-30-5.  Body  little  compressed, 
tapering  posteriorly  to  the  long  caudal  peduncle;  snout  very  long; 
mouth  small,  maxillary  not  nearly  reaching  eye;  throat  with  2 
long  barbels,  reaching  to  margin  of  preopercle  or  beyond.  Colour, 
red  above,  merging  into  light  yellow  on  the  sides,  becoming  pale- 
greenish  below;  oblique  bluish  streaks  on  head;  several  longitudinal 
rows  of  light  blue  round  spots,  much  smaller  than  pupil,  on  side, 
the  2  rows  above  lateral  line  plainest;  about  4  diffuse  blotches 
of  darker  red  on  the  side;  spinous  dorsal  light  red  at  base,  yellowish 
outwardly;  soft  dorsal  pale  bluish,  with  some  light  yellow  on 
membranes  and  red  on  middle  rays;  pectoral  chiefly  yellow,  with 
red  on  rays;  ventrals  pale  blue,  with  streaks  of  red  and  yellow 
on  first  rays;  barbels  pink  near  base,  yellow  distally. 

Upeneus  dentatus  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from  Cape 
San  Lucas,  La  Paz,  Guaymas,  and  Tres  Marias  Islands.  Colour, 
dusky  above,  sides  bright  rosy,  a  broad  red  band  extending  from 
eye  to  ,  caudal.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length. 

Upeneus  parvus  is  another  rare  species,  known  only  from 
Cuba.  Colour,  vermilion  above,  fading  to  white  below;  a  yellow 
band  along  side,  with  similar  narrower  streaks  below;  ventrals 
and  anal  yellow;  other  fins  pale,  with  dusky  cross-bands,  $  on 
first  dorsal,  2  on  second,  and  5  on  each  caudal  lobe. 

Yellow  Goatfish;  Salmonete  Amarilla 

Upeneus  martinicus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes 

This  species  occurs  from  Florida  southward  among  the  West 
Indies,  it  being  known  from  Key  West,  Jamaica,  Cuba,  Martinique, 
and  Porto  Rico,  about  which  last  island  it  is  less  common  than 
the  red  goatfish.  It  reaches  12  inches  in  length  and  is  a  good 
food-fish. 

Resembling  U.  maculatus  in  form,  but  with  slightly  larger 
eye,  smaller  scales  and  weaker  teeth  which  are  arranged  in  more 
than  one  series.  Colour,  pale-blue  and  pink  or  pale-red,  the  latter 
chiefly  above,  the  blue  below;  a  straight  yellow  band  from  eye 
to  base  of  upper  caudal  rays;  a  black  vertical  bar  at  base  of  caudal; 
head  with  yellow  streaks  and  reddish  patches;  pectorals  red; 
ventrals,  anal,  and  caudal  reddish  near  base,  outer  part  yellow; 
dorsals  yellow,  plainest  near  tips.  These  colours  fade  in  spirits. 

271 


THE    MACKERELS 

Family   XXXII.     Scombridce 

Body  elongate,  fusiform,  not  much  compressed,  covered  with 
minute,  cycloid  scales,  those  anteriorly  forming  a  corselet;  lateral 
line  undulate;  head  subconic,  pointed  anteriorly;  mouth  rather 
large,  premaxillaries  not  protractile;  no  supplemental  maxillary 
bone;  jaws  with  sharp  teeth;  preopercle  entire;  opercle  unarmed; 
gill-openings  very  wide,  the  membranes  not  united,  free  from  the 
isthmus;  pseudobranchiae  large;  branchiostegals  7;  dorsal  fins  2, 
the  first  of  rather  weak  spines,  depressible  in  a  groove,  the 
second  similar  to  the  anal,  the  elevated  anterior  lobe  always  dis- 
tinct; anal  spines  weak;  last  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal  detached  and 
separate,  forming  in  each  case  a  series  of  finlets;  caudal  peduncle 
extremely  slender,  keeled,  the  caudal  lobes  abruptly  divergent  and 
falcate,  the  fin  adapted  for  rapid  motion;  ventral  fins  I,  5,  thoracic 
and  well  developed;  lower  pharyngeals  separate;  stomach  sac- 
shaped;  pyloric  coeca  numerous;  air-bladder  small,  sometimes  ab- 
sent. Colouration,  metallic,  often  brilliant,  the  prevailing  shade 
steel-blue. 

Genera  about  20,  species  about  60.  Fishes  of  the  high  seas, 
many  of  them  cosmopolitan,  and  all  having  a  wide  range;  most 
of  them  valued  as  food-fishes,  the  flesh  being  firm  and  oily,  but 
sometimes  coarse.  Eight  genera  are  represented  in  our  waters 
by  about  15  species. 

a.  Caudal    peduncle    without   median  keel   on   each   side; 

Scomber,  273 
aa.  Caudal  peduncle  with   a  median   keel   on   each  side. 

b.  Dorsal   spines  10  to    16. 

c.  Body  scaleless,    except   about  the   lateral   line   and   corselet. 

d.  Dorsals   well    separated,    the   interspace    more    than   half   head. 

Auxis,  276 
dd.  Dorsals  contiguous,  the  interspace  not  one-fifth  length  of 

head ; Gymnosarda,  277 

cc.  Body  wholly  covered  with  small  scales,  those  on  corselet  and 

lateral  line  sometimes  enlarged. 

e.  Teeth   of  jaws  slender,    subconical,  little    if    at  all    compressed; 

gillrakers   numerous;  corselet  distinct;  pectorals  inserted  low. 
/.  Vomer    and    palatines    with   villiform   or  sand-like  teeth;    body 
robust,  not  compressed. 

272 


The  True  Mackerel 

g.  Pectoral   short,    not    reaching    much   beyond  tip  of  the   moder- 
ate ventrals;  size   enormous; Thunnus,  278 

gg.    Pectoral    very    long,     ribbon-shaped,     reaching    much    beyond 
front  of  anal;   size    moderate; •'  • .  Germo,  282 

ff.  Vomer  toothless;  palatines  with   a  single   row   of  rather  strong, 

conical  teeth;  body   elongate,    slightly    compressed 

Sarda,  282 

ee.  Teeth   of  jaws    strong,  subtriangular  or  knife-like,  more   or  less 
compressed,    gillrakers    comparatively    few;  corselet  obscure; 

Scomberomorus,  283 

bb.  Dorsal  spines  about  25 ; AcanthocyUum,  288 


GENUS  SCOMBER  LINNAiUS 
The  True  Mackerels 

Species  few,  widely  distributed,  usually  swimming  in  large 
schools;  carnivorous  and  migratory;  everywhere  highly  valued  as 
food. 

a.  Air-bladder   wanting ; scombrus,  273 

aa.  Air-bladder  present; japonicus,  276 


Common  Mackerel 

Scomber  scombrus  Linnaeus 

The  mackerel  inhabits  the  North  Atlantic  Ocean.  On  our 
coast  it  ranges  from  Cape  Hatteras  to  the  Straits  of  Belle  Isle; 
while  in  European  waters  it  is  found  from  Norway  to  the 
Mediterranean  and  Adriatic. 


273 


Common   Mackerel 

The  mackerel  first  appear  in  spring  off  Cape  Hatteras,  and 
later  reach  the  shores  of  the  Middle  and  New  England  States 
and  the  British  possessions,  coming  in  from  the  sea  from  a 
southerly  or  southeasterly  direction.  They  leave  the  coast  in  the 
same  way  in  fall  and  winter.  It  is  a  wandering  fish,  and  its 
movements  and  the  causes  thereof  are  not  fully  understood.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  abundant  fishes  on  our  Atlantic  Coast,  going 
in  schools  often  of  great  extent.  It  is  on  record  that  in  1848  a 
school  was  seen  one-half  mile  wide,  and  at  least  20  miles  long. 
Another  school,  seen  in  1877  off  Block  Island,  was  estimated  to 
contain  1,000,000  barrels.  The  schools  swim  at  the  surface  or 
near  it,  and  in  a  rather  compact  body. 

Periods  of  scarcity  alternate  with  seasons  of  abundance.  The 
New  England  catch  in  1885  was  330,000  barrels,  and  the  average 
for  the  8  years  ending  in  1885  was  309,000  barrels.  In  1886  it 
dropped  to  80,000  barrels,  and  in  the  succeeding  10  years  it 
amounted  to  only  481,000.  The  yield  in  1898  was  5,769,000 
pounds,  valued  at  $307,000,  and  15,500  barrels  salted,  valued  at 
$179,000. 

In  1900  the  catch  landed  at  Boston  and  Gloucester  amounted 
to  8,889,294  pounds  fresh,  valued  at  $389,952,  and  15,965,500 
pounds  salted,  valued  at  $837,743,  or  a  total  of  24,854,794  pounds, 
valued  at  $1,227,695.  For  1901  the  catch  landed  at  these  2  ports 
amounted  to  14,637,615  pounds,  valued  at  $704,375. 

The  spawning  season  on  our  coasts  extends  from  May  to 
July,  June  probably  being  the  principal  month.  The  spawning 
grounds  are  in  rather  deep  water  along  the  coast  from  Long 
Island  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  Most  of  the  bays  and  sounds 
on  the  New  England  Coast  contain  important  spawning-grounds. 
Prior  to  spawning,  and  for  several  weeks  after,  the  mackerel  are 
lean  and  poor,  and  do  not  make  No.  i  fish  when  salted. 

The  mackerel  feeds  upon  the  small  crustaceans  and  other 
small  animals  which  swarm  in  the  sea,  and  is,  in  turn,  fed  upon 
by  other  fishes,  birds,  and  cetaceans.  One  of  the  surface-swim- 
ming copepods,  known  as  "red  feed"  or  "cayenne,"  is  a  favour- 
ite food;  when  mackerel  have  been  feeding  freely  on  it,  they 
spoil  very  quickly  after  being  caught,  owing  to  their  sides  tot- 
ting or  "burning."  Among  the  fish  which  the  mackerel  eat  may 
be  named  herring,  anchovy,  sand  launce,  menhaden,  and  silver- 
sides.  Among  fishes,  sharks  are,  perhaps,  the  worst  enemies  of 

274 


Common  Mackerel 

the  mackerel.  Other  fish-enemies  are  the  bluefish  and  cod.  Por- 
poises and  whales  are  often  seen  feeding  on  the  mackerel  schools. 
Large  squid  do  great  damage  to  small  mackerel  and,  among 
birds,  the  gannet  is  especially  destructive. 

As  a  food-fish,  the  mackerel  is  one  of  the  best  and  most 
valuable.  On  our  coast  the  vessel  fishery  is  carried  on  chiefly 
from  Gloucester.  The  vessels  go  south  in  the  early  spring,  fall- 
ing in  with  the  fish  when  they  first  appear  off  our  southern  coast, 
and  landing  their  catch  fresh  at  Philadelphia  and  New  York.  The 
fleet  next  seeks  the  school  off  the  southern  shore  of  Nova  Scotia 
and  follows  it  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  Most  of  the  fall  fish- 
ing is  done  on  the  New  England  shore.  Some  of  the  finest  fish- 
ing vessels  in  the  United  States  are  engaged  in  this  fishery.  In 
recent  years  the  fleet  has  numbered  150  to  225  vessels,  but  for- 
merly nearly  1,000  were  engaged  in  this  business. 

The  shore  and  boat  fishing  is  carried  on  from  New  Jersey 
to  Maine,  the  catch  being  usually  sold  fresh. 

The  local  mackerel  has  so  fallen  off  in  recent  years  that  the 
catch  does  not  supply  the  home  demand,  and  large  quantities 
are  received,  both  fresh  and  salt,  from  Norway,  Ireland,  and  the 
British  provinces. 

The  United  States  Fish  Commission  has  undertaken  the  arti- 
ficial propagation  of  the  mackerel,  but  the  results  have  not  yet 
been  satisfactory.  In  1896,  24,000,000  eggs  were  collected,  but 
only  a  small  percentage  hatched.  The  mackerel  egg  is  exceed- 
ingly small,  it  being  only  -fa  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  eggs 
average  about  40,000  to  the  fish,  but  200,000  have  been  taken 
from  i  fish.  The  largest  mackerel  would  doubtless  produce 
1,000,000  eggs  each.  The  period  of  incubation  is  about  5  days 
in  water  at  58°. 

Small  mackerel  are  known  among  fishermen  as  "spikes," 
"blinkers,"  and  "tinkers."  Spikes  are  the  smallest  caught  by  the 
commercial  fishermen,  they  being  5  or  6  inches  long  and  5  to  7 
months  old,  or  younger.  Tinkers  are  under  9  inches  in  length  and 
are  supposed  to  be  about  2  years  old.  Blinkers  are  intermediate  in 
size  and  age.  Maturity  is  probably  attained  in  the  fourth  year. 

The  common  mackerel  is  so  well  known  as  to  render  a 
detailed  description  unnecessary. 


275 


Chub  Mackerel;   Tinker  Mackerel 


Chub   Mackerel  ;    Tinker  Mackerel 

Scomber  japonicus  Houttuyn 

This  mackerel  is  widely  distributed,  occurring  in  both  the 
Atlantic  and  Pacific,  north  in  the  former  to  England  and  Maine, 
and  to  San  Francisco  on  our  west  coast.  It  is  very  common  in 
the  Mediterranean  and  off  southern  California. 

The  history  of  the  chub  mackerel  on  our  Atlantic  Coast 
shows  great  variation  in  abundance.  Up  to  about  1840  it  was 
apparently  an  abundant  fish,  but  between  1840  and  1850  it  seems 
to  have  wholly  disappeared  from  our  coast.  But  in  1879  a  con- 
siderable school  was  seen  at  Provincetown.  It  again  disappeared 
in  1880,  but  is  not  rare  at  the  present  time. 

This  is  an  excellent  food-fish  and  has  been  regarded  even  as 
superior  to  the  common  mackerel. 

Colour,  blue  with  about  30  wavy,  blackish  streaks  which  reach 
just  below  lateral  line,  some  of  these  forming  reticulations  enclosing 
pale  spots;  more  than  20  black  specks  or  mucous  pores  on  base  of 
preopercle,  generally  arranged  in  more  than  i  row;  belly  and  sides 
silvery,  but  always  with  roundish  dusky  spots  or  cloudings  in  the 
adult;  a  black  axillary  spot. 


GENUS  AUXIS  CUVIER 
The  Frigate  Mackerels 

Body  oblong,  plump,  mostly  naked  posteriorly,  anteriorly 
covered  with  small  cycloid  scales,  those  of  the  pectoral  region 
enlarged,  forming  a  corselet;  snout  very  short,  conical,  scarcely 
compressed;  mouth  rather  small,  the  jaws  equal;  teeth  very 
small,  mostly  in  a  single  series,  on  jaws  only;  tail  very  slender, 

276 


The  Frigate  Mackerel 

depressed,  with  a  rather  large  keel  on  each  side;  first  dorsal  short, 
some  distance  from  second;  second  dorsal  and  anal  small,  each 
with  7  or  8  finlets;  no  air-bladder;  gillrakers  numerous,  very  long 
and  slender. 

The  only   species   of   this   genus    is  the  frigate    mackerel   (A. 
This   fish   occurs   in   all   warm   seas.      On   our    Atlantic 


Coast  it  is  seen  occasionally  as  far  north  as  Cape  Cod.  It  ap- 
pears to  be  very  erratic  in  its  movements,  and  rarely  reaches  the 
United  States  coasts.  It  swims  in  large  schools  and  sometimes 
appears  in  immense  numbers.  In  the  Adriatic  it  is  called  "Tim- 
berello." 

It  resembles  in  some  respects  the  common  mackerel;  in  other 
characters  it  resembles  the  bonito,  the  genus  Auxis  being  inter- 
mediate between  Scomber  and  the  related  genera  Pelamys  and 
Orcynus.  It  is  not  much  valued  as  food. 

Colour,  blue,  variegated  with  darker  above,  becoming  paler 
with  age;  belly  silvery. 


GENUS  GYMNOSARDA  GILL 
The  Little  Tunnies 

This  genus  differs  from  that  of  the  great  tunnies  in  the  ab- 
sence of  teeth  on  the  vomer,  the  complete  absence  of  scales 
outside  the  corselet,  and  in  the  peculiar  development,  in  the 
form  of  a  network  or  trellis,  of  a  portion  of  the  abdominal  part 
of  the  backbone. 

277 


The  Great  Tunnies 

Two  species  of  small  size  in  our  waters,  little  valued  as 
food.  The  first  of  these,  the  ocean  bonito  (G.  pelamis)  occurs 
in  all  warm  seas,  is  pelagic,  not  common  anywhere,  and  on 
our  Atlantic  Coast  it  has  been  seen  as  far  north  as  Cape  Cod 
and  the  Bermudas.  It  is  also  frequent  in  southern  California. 
This  species  may  be  distinguished  from  the  next  by  the  distinct 
curve  in  the  lateral  line  below  second  dorsal  and  in  having  4 
lengthwise  stripes  on  side  below  lateral  line. 

The  other  species,  the  little  tunny  (G.  alleterata)  is  also 
pelagic,  occurring  in  all  warm  seas.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  the 
Mediterranean  and  the  West  Indies;  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  it 


occurs  as  far  north  as  Cape  Cod.  It  is  not  known  from  Cali- 
fornia. From  the  ocean  bonito  it  may  be  readily  distinguished 
by  the  absence  of  a  curve  in  the  lateral  line  and  in  having  no 
stripes. 


GENUS    THUNNUS   SOUTH 
The  Great  Tunnies 

Body  oblong,  robust,  with  very  slender  caudal  peduncle;  head 
conic;  mouth  wide,  with  one  series  of  small,  conic  teeth  in  the 
jaws  and  bands  of  minute  villiform  or  sand-like  teeth  on  the 
vomer  and  palatines;  scales  present,  those  of  the  pectoral  region 
forming  an  obscure  corselet. 

278 


The  Great  Tunnies 

The   only   known   species   is  the  tuna   (Thunnus  thynnus). 

This  great  fish  is  pelagic  in  its  habits  and  is  found  in  all 
warm  seas.  In  the  Atlantic  it  occurs  as  far  north  as  Newfound- 
land and  the  Loffoden  Islands,  and  on  the  California  coast  at 
least  to  Monterey  Bay.  It  is  the  "tuna"  of  the  Mediterranean 
and  of  California  and  the  "tunny"  of  the  English.  On  our 
Atlantic  Coast  it  is  the  "tunny,"  "horse  mackerel,"  or  "great 
albacore."  They  appear  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  early  in  summer 
and  remain  until  October.  On  some  occasions  they  are  very 
abundant,  for  so  large  a  fish.  During  one  season  one  fisherman 
harpooned  30  of  these  monsters  which  weighed  in  the  aggregate 
at  least  30,000  pounds.  They  are  harpooned  on  the  surface  of 
the  water,  after  the  manner  of  taking  the  sword-fish. 

The  tuna  attains  a  very  great  size  and  is  the  largest  of  the 
mackerel  family.  A  length  of  10  or  more  feet  and  a  weight  of 
1,500  pounds  has  been  recorded.  One  taken  in  1838,  off  Cape 
Ann,  was  15  feet  long  and  weighed  1,000  pounds.  They  do 
not  appear  to  reach  so  great  a  size  on  the  coast  of  Europe,  a 
5oo-pound  fish  there  being  considered  a  monster.  Nor  do  they 
reach  so  large  a  size  on  the  California  Coast,  the  largest  example 
taken  with  rod  and  line  at  Santa  Catalina  having  weighed  but 
251  pounds.  An  example  measuring  8  feet  in  length  was  seen 
by  us  at  Monterey  Bay. 

On  our  Atlantic  Coast  this  fish,  there  called  the  horse 
mackerel,  has  never  attained  any  reputation  as  a  game-fish,  but 
on  the  coast  of  southern  California  it  is  one  of  the  monsters 
much  sought  by  the  daring  anglers  who  frequent  the  famous 
Santa  Catalina  resort.  Professor  Charles  F.  Holder,  who  has 
written  so  much  and  so  entertainingly  concerning  the  game-fishes 
of  southern  California,  says  "The  most  sensational  fish  of  these 
waters  is  the  leaping  tuna,  which  well  compares  with  the  tar- 
pon, and  personally  I  prefer  it  to  its  Florida  and  Texas  rival, 
and  in  my  experience,  the  average  large  tuna  is  a  match  for  two 
tarpons  of  the  same  size.  The  tuna  is  the  tiger  of  the  Califor- 
nia seas,  a  living  meteor  which  strikes  like  a  whirlwind,  and 
when  played  with  a  rod  that  is  not  a  billiard  cue  or  a  club  in 
stiffness,  will  give  the  average  man  the  contest  of  his  life.  My 
idea  of  a  rod  is  a  7  or  8^-foot  greenheart  or  split  bamboo, 
with  a  good  cork  grip  above  the  reel,  the  latter  of  Edward  von 
Hoff  make,  with  a  leather  pad,  break  and  click.  The  line  should 

279 


The  Great  Tunnies 

not  be  larger  than  a  21 -strand,  and  600  or  700  feet  is  enough. 
The  hook  either  a  Van  Vleck  or  a  number  9-0  O'Shaughnessy, 
should  have  a  piano-wire  leader  5  or  6  feet  in  length.  The 
bait,  a  flying-fish,  and  you  are  ready  for  the  game.  Your  boat- 
man is  ready  for  you  at  six,  the  lunch  is  stowed  and  you  pull 
out  into  Avalon  Bay  over  the  glass-like  sea.  The  east  is  a  blaze 
of  red,  and  the  placid  waters  reflect  it  and  the  rocks  of  the  pre- 
cipitous shore.  Behind  the  town  that  climbs  the  slopes  the  moun- 
tains reach  upward  until  lost  in  vagrant  fog-masses  of  burnished 
silver.  The  air  is  soft,  like  velvet  on  the  cheek,  and  there  is  a 
crispness  in  the  morning  strangely  at  variance  with-  the  palms 
and  bananas  which  top  the  neighbouring  knoll.  As  your  boat- 
man shoves  off  and  clears  the  beach,  he  fastens  on  the  big  3- 
pound  flying-fish,  the  natural  food  of  the  tuna,  and  you  gradually 
pay  out  until  60,  or  perhaps  80  feet  of  line  have  gone,  then 
fitting  the  butt  of  your  rod  into  the  leather  cap  fastened  to  the 
seat,  rest  your  thumb  upon  the  leather  brake  and  begin  the 
waiting,  which  is  a  part  of  fishing  the  world  over. 

"But  it  happens,  as  it  often  does,  that  there  is  no  waiting. 
'Jim'  whispers  'Look  out,  sir,'  and  you  turn  your  head  to  see 
3  or  4  flying-fish  coming  through  the  air,  flushed  by  the  unseen 
tuna.  The  blood  starts  through  your  veins;  your  companion, 
who  perchance  has  never  caught  a  tuna,  turns  pale  and  trembles 
and  thinks  of  the  buck  fever,  recognizing  the  symptoms;  one 
flying-fish  passes  over  the  boat,  you  duck  your  head  to  avoid 
it,  and  then  soars  directly  over  your  bait,  and  then  a  mass  of 
white,  silvery  foam  leaps  upward.  There  is  a  blaze  of  silver, 
then  loud  musical  notes,  z-e-e-e,  z-e-e-e,  z-e-e-e,  rise  on  the  air 
as  the  splendid  reel  gives  tongue,  and  the  fight  is  on.  The  tuna 
turns  and  rushes  seaward,  tearing  at  the  line,  taking  feet,  yards, 
and  has  500  feet  of  line,  perhaps,  before  the  boatman  has  his 
boat  under  sternway,  and  then  begins  the  contest,  ranging,  ac- 
cording to  the  individuals,  from  ten  minutes  to  fourteen  hours. 
At  times  the  game  rushes  down  into  the  deep  channel;  again 
it  plays  entirely  on  the  surface,  varying  the  performance  by  re- 
peated rushes  at  the  boat,  to  turn  and  dart  away  again  to  the 
melodious  clicking  of  the  reel. 

"It  is  big  game  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  and  those  who 
enjoy  it  are  the  man  and  woman  who  like  to  face  the  big  game 
of  the  forest  and  mountains.  I  have  seen  a  fish  weighing  but 

280 


The  Great  Tunnies 

125  pounds  fight  an  angler  five  hours.  At  that  time  the  fish 
had  towed  the  boat  ten  miles  off  shore,  or  twenty  miles  per- 
haps in  all.  The  angler  gave  out,  the  boatman  took  the  rod, 
and  I  took  the  oars  and  pulled  against  the  fish  for  two  hours, 
whirling  it  about  in  vain  efforts  to  keep  the  stern  to  the  fish. 
Then  in  a  heavy  and  dangerous  sea,  out  of  sight  of  port,  a 
council  of  war  was  held.  If  we  continued  the  contest  into  the 
night  we  should  have  to  make  for  the  mainland,  ten  miles  off, 
and  as  a  result  we  surrendered,  and  the  noble  fish  was  ignomin- 
iously  hauled  in  by  hand,  and  at  the  gaffing  nearly  swamped 
the  boat,  being  as  full  of  vigour  and  fight  as  when  it  was  hooked 
hours  before. 

"It  was  my  fortune  to  hold  the  record  of  the  largest  tuna, 
183  pounds,  for  two  years,  and  as  far  as  I  can  learn  this  fish, 
which  fought  me  four  hours  and  towed  me  against  the  oars  of 
my  boatman  for  ten  miles,  made  the  hardest  fight  on  record.  Its 
last  run  was  a  rush  of  four  miles,  and  when  the  magnificent 
creature  was  brought  to  gaff  I  had  reached  the  limit  of  endur- 
ance; this  fish  could  have  towed  the  heavy  boat  for  hours  longer. 

"About  forty  anglers  wear  the  blue  button  of  the  Tuna  club 
showing  that  they  have  caught  tunas  weighing  over  100  pounds, 
and  from  five  to  ten  are  added  to  the  list  every  year,  the  record 
being  held  at  present  by  Colonel  C.  P.  Morehouse  of  Pasadena, 
who  took  a  25i-pound  tuna  in  four  hours,  bringing  it  to  gaff 
at  night  in  a  heavy  sea,  into  which  the  fish  had  towed  them. 
If  the  adventures  of  the  tuna  fishermen  could  be  told  it  would 
make  a  volume  of  thrilling  incidents.  Some  of  the  large  catches 
are  as  follows:  C.  P.  Morehouse,  251  pounds;  C.  F.  Holder,  183 
pounds;  St.  J.  Earlscliff,  180  pounds;  E.  L.  Doran,  176  pounds; 
W.  C.  Arnot,  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  140  pounds;  J.  M.  Studebaker,  South 
Bend,  Ind.,  130  pounds." 

The  fishermen  about  the  Gulf  of  Saint  Lawrence  sometimes 
take  the  horse  mackerel  by  means  of  steel  hooks  tied  to  solid  lines 
and  baited  with  herring,  especially  in  the  Bay  of  Chaleur  and  off 
Caraquette.  The  fishing  is  quite  exciting,  although  tiresome  and 
requiring  a  good  deal  of  skill,  as  in  the  efforts  of  the  fish  to  escape 
they  pull  with  such  violence  as  to  endanger  the  lives  of  the  fish- 
ermen by  dragging  them  overboard. 


281 


GENUS  GERMO  JORDAN 
The  Albacores 

This  genus  is  close  to  Thunnus,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly 
in  having  the  pectoral  long  and  sabre-shaped,  the  length  in  the 
adult  about  -§-  that  of  the  body.  The  only  species  of  this  genus 
is  the  long-fmned  albacore  (Germo  alalunga),  a  pelagic  fish  of 
wide  distribution  in  all  tropical  seas.  It  is  rarely  seen  on  our 


Atlantic  Coast  but  is  common  in  the  Mediterranean.  On  our 
Pacific  Coast  it  occurs  as  far  north  as  San  Francisco.  It  is  ex- 
tremely abundant  about  the  Santa  Barbara  Islands  during  its 
spawning  season.  As  a  food-fish  it  is  of  little  value,  its  flesh 
being  coarse  and  oily,  far  inferior  to  that  of  the  tuna.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a  good  game-fish,  reaching  a  length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight 
of  15  or  20  pounds. 


GENUS  SARDA  CUYIER 
The  Bonitos 

This  genus  is  related  to  Thunnus  and  Germo,  from  which 
it  differs  chiefly  in  having  no  teeth  on  the  vomer  and  in  the  more 
elongate  body.  There  are  2  species  in  our  waters,  fishes  of  rather 
large  size  and  metallic  colouration. 

282 


The   Spanish  Mackerels 

This  genus  contains  2  species,  5.  sarda  and  S.  chilensis.  The 
first  of  these  is  the  bonito,  a  species  which  lives  for  the  most  part 
in  the  open  sea,  wandering  hither  and  thither  in  large  schools, 
preying  upon  other  pelagic  fishes  and  approaching  land  only  when 
attracted  by  abundance  of  suitable  food  or  for  spawning  purposes. 
On  our  coast  it  occurs  in  summer  from  Cape  Cod  to  Cape  Sable, 
and  occasionally  off  Chesapeake  Bay,  Cape  Hatteras,  and  in  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  It  reaches  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet  and  a  weight 
of  i o  to  12  pounds.  It  is  a  poor  food-fish. 

It  is  distinguished  from  S.  chilensis  by  having  21  spines  in 
the  dorsal  and  the  maxillary  reaching  beyond  the  orbit. 

Colour,  dark  steel-blue  above,  with  numerous  dark  narrow 
stripes  obliquely  downward  and  forward  from  back;  under  parts 

silvery. 

The  California  bonito  (S.  chilensis)  is  found  from  San  Fran- 
cisco to  Patagonia  and  Japan.  It  is  abundant  northward  in  sum- 
mer and,  as  a  food-fish  ranks  with  its  Atlantic  congener,  though 
large  numbers  are  salted  and  dried.  It  reaches  a  length  of  2  or 
3  feet  and  a  weight  of  12  to  16  pounds.  During  summer  and  fall  it 
is  abundant  among  the  Santa  Barbara  Islands  where,  in  company 
with  the  barracuda,  it  is  taken  in  large  numbers  by  trolling.  It  feeds 
chiefly  upon  anchovies  and  squids. 

Colour,  dark  metallic-blue;  sides  dusky;  several  blackish  stripes 
running  obliquely  upward  and  backward  from  pectoral  region  to 
upper  edge  of  tail,  variable  in  number  and  direction. 


GENUS   SCOMBEROMORUS  LACEPEDE 
The  Spanish   Mackerels 

Body  elongate,  wholly  covered  with  rudimentary  scales,  which 
do  not  form  a  distinct  corselet;  head  pointed,  comparatively  short 
and  small;  mouth  wide,  the  strong  teeth  in  the  jaws  more  or 
less  compressed  or  knife-shaped;  villiform  or  sand-like  teeth  on 
vomer  and  palatines;  maxillary  not  concealed  by  preorbital;  caudal 
peduncle  with  a  single  keel;  spinous  dorsal  low,  of  14  to  18 
feeble  spines;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  short,  similar,  somewhat  ele- 
vated and  falcate,  each  followed  by  7  to  10  finlets;  ventrals 

283 


Monterey  Spanish   Mackerel 

small;  pectoral  moderate,  near  the  level  of  the  eye;  air-bladder 
present.  Fishes  of  the  high  seas,  graceful  in  form  and  beautiful 
in  colouration;  5  species  in  our  waters. 

a.  Male   with   the  sides   silvery,    no   spots;  female  with   two   rows 

of  brown   spots;  fins   nearly   plain; concolor,  284 

aa.  Each    sex     with     numerous   bronze    spots    on     sides;    spinous 
dorsal  dark   except    at  base. 

b.  Soft  dorsal  inserted  in  advance  of  anal; maculatus,  285 

bb.  Soft  dorsal  inserted   over   anal. 

c.  Body   deep,    the   depth   less  than    5   in   length. 

d.  Teeth   26  to  32  on    each  jaw ; sierra,  286 

dd.  Teeth   about  40   on   each  jaw regalis,  286 

cc.  Body   more  slender,    the   depth   about  6  in   length ; 

cavalla,  287 


Monterey  Spanish   Mackerel 

Scomberomoms  concolor  (Lockington) 

This  species  occurs  on  the  coast  of  California,  chiefly  in 
Monterey  Bay,  where  it  appears  usually  in  September,  disappear- 
ing in  November.  It  is  never  abundant,  only  a  few  individuals 
being  seen  each  season.  It  attains  a  length  of  30  inches,  and 
a  weight  of  5  to  8  pounds.  It  is  held  in  very  high  esteem  as 
a  food-fish,  and  always  brings  a  high  price  in  market. 

Head  5;  depth  about  4|;  eye  5^;  D.  XVII-i6-VIII;  A.  I,  16- 
VIII;  pectoral  8  in  body;  teeth  about  50  in  each  jaw.  Mouth 
slightly  oblique,  the  maxillary  reaching  to  posterior  edge  of  pupil; 
teeth  comparatively  small,  subconic,  and  little  compressed,  those 
on  vomer  and  palatines  minute  and  granular;  lateral  line  slightly 
wavy,  descending  obliquely;  pectoral  inserted  rather  above  axis  of 
body;  ventrals  small;  dorsal  spines  slender  and  fragile,  the  longest  4  in 
head;  dorsal  fins  separated  by  an  interspace  equal  to  \  length  of  base 
of  spinous  dorsal;  caudal  shorter  than  head,  its  lower  lobe  the 
longer;  gillrakers  long,  18  below  the  angle.  Colour  of  male, 
dark  steel-blue,  sides  silvery,  without  streaks  or  spots;  female 
with  two  alternate  series  of  brown  spots,  the  silvery  on  sides 
clouded  with  dusky;  fins  nearly  plain,  dark. 


284 


Spanish  Mackerel 


Spanish  Mackerel 

Scomber omorus  maculatus  (Mitchill) 

The  Spanish  mackerel  is  a  fish  of  wide  distribution  on  our 
Atlantic  Coast,  ranging  north  in  the  fall  as 'far  as  Cape  Ann,  and 
in  the  south  to  Brazil.  In  the  West  Indies  it  has  been  found 
about  Jamaica  and  Porto  Rico,  but  is  probably  not  known  from 
Cuba.  In  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  on  our  South  Atlantic  Coast 
it  appears  irregularly  in  large  schools. 

The  catch  on  our  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Coasts  has  been  subject 
to  great  variations.  In  the  early  history  of  this  country  the 
Spanish  Mackerel  was  scarcely  known,  and  not  until  within  the 
last  30  years  has  it  become  of  much  commercial  importance. 
The  catch  in  1897  amounted  to  1,183,456  pounds,  worth  $69,778. 

It  is  now  one  of  the  most  highly  prized  of  all  our  fishes, 
and  always  commands  a  high  price. 

Ordinarily  it  reaches  a  weight  of  6  to  10  pounds,  but  oc- 
casionally very  large  individuals  are  taken.  The  largest  we  have 
seen  was  taken  in  October,  1901,  off  Chesapeake  Bay,  and 
weighed  25  pounds.  It  was  41  inches  long. 

This  fish  is  usually  taken  in  pounds  or  gillnets,  though  many 
are  taken  by  trolling.  It  is  an  excellent  game-fish.  It  is  a  fish 
of  the  sunnier  climes  and  comes  to  us  only  in  the  spring,  sum- 
mer and  autumn,  when  it  may  be  seen,  sometimes  in  large 
schools,  swimming  at  the  surface,  feeding  upon  other  fishes, 
often  leaping  and  disporting  itself  in  the  sun.  The  menhaden  is 
probably  its  principal  food,  though  many  other  species  are  eaten. 

The  Spanish  mackerel  spawns  on  the  Carolina  Coast  in 
April  and  May  and  in  the  lower  Chesapeake  during  the  first 
half  of  June.  Their  eggs  are  very  small  and  very  numerous,  a 
6-pound  fish  producing  about  1,500,000  eggs. 

285 


Mexican  Sierra 

Head  4$;  depth  4$;  D.  XVII-i8-IX;  A.  Il-iy-IX;  maxillary 
1 1  in  head;  eye  4f;  pectoral  if;  ventral  4^;  dorsal  and  anal  lobes 
subequal,  2  in  head.  Body  elongate,  its  dorsal  and  ventral  out- 
lines equal;  profile  straight  from  snout  to  dorsal;  head  small  and 
pointed;  mouth  large,  oblique,  the  jaws  equal;  maxillary  reaching 
posterior  edge  of  orbit;  teeth  large,  compressed  and  sharp,  24  to 
26  in  each  jaw;  lateral  line  undulating,  with  about  175  pores. 
Colour,  silvery,  bluish  above;  sides  with  many  elliptical  spots  of 
dull  orange,  2  rows  below  lateral  line  and  I  above;  spinous  dorsal 
white  at  base,  black  above;  soft  dorsal  tinged  with  yellowish,  its 
margin  black;  anal  white;  posterior  side  of  pectoral  black,  the  an- 
terior yellowish  with  black  borders;  caudal  blackish. 

Mexican   Sierra 

Scomberomorus  sierra  Jordan  &  Starks 

This  species  is  the  Pacific  Coast  representative  of  the  Spanish 
mackerel  which  it  very  closely  resembles  and  from  which  it  differs 
only  in  the  more  posterior  insertion  of  the  soft  dorsal  and  in  the 
colouration.  It  is  known  only  from  Mazatlan,  reaches  a  length 
of  2\  feet,  and  is  not  highly  valued  as  food,  but  why  it  is 
not  we  are  unable  to  say. 

Colour,  silvery,  dark  steel-blue  on  the  back;  sides  with  nu- 
merous round  spots  of  the  same  colour  as  the  back,  3  rows 
below  and  i  above  the  lateral  line;  spinous  dorsal  all  black; 
anal  white;  posterior  surface  of  pectoral  entirely  black,  anterior 
yellowish  with  blackish  borders;  caudal  black.  A  large  example, 
probably  a  male,  had  5  rows  of  spots  below  lateral  line,  these 
spots  decreasing  in  size  anteriorly  toward  the  belly,  but  extending 
nearly  to  base  of  ventral  fin. 


Sierra  ;   Pintado  ;   King-fish 

Scomberomorus  regalis  (Bloch) 

This  fine  fish   is  found   from    Cape   Cod    to   Brazil,    but   it   is 
not  common  anywhere  except  about  Florida  and   Cuba.      It  grows 

286 


Kingfish  ;    Cero ;    Cavalla 

to  5  or  6  feet  in  length,  20  pounds  or  more  in  weight,  and  is 
an  excellent  game  and  food-fish.  It  is  found  on  the  south 
Florida  Coast  and  is  caught  by  trolling.  It  is  not  always  dis- 
tinguished by  the  fishermen  from  the  Spanish  mackerel  or  the  cero. 

Head  4^;  depth  4$-;  D.  XVII-I,  15- VIII;  A.  II-I4-VIII.  Body 
rather  elongate,  its  dorsal  and  ventral  curves  about  equal;  lateral 
line  descending  obliquely,  undulating  along  the  tail;  mouth  large, 
maxillary  reaching  to  below  eye;  angle  of  peopercle  produced 
backward;  caudal  peduncle  rather  slender,  its  least  depth  5^-  in 
head;  caudal  fin  less  widely  forked  than  in  the  Spanish  mackerel; 
teeth  triangular,  strongly  compressed,  about  40  in  each  jaw;  pec- 
toral scaly.  Colour,  silvery;  side  with  2  blackish  longitudinal 
bands  crossing  lateral  line  below  soft  dorsal,  each  posteriorly 
broken  up  into  longitudinal  spots,  above  and  below  these  are 
numerous  brownish  spots  in  rows,  persistent  in  adult;  front  of 
spinous  dorsal  black. 


Kingfish;    Cero:    Cavalla 

Scomberomonfc  cavalla  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

Of  all  the  host  of  Florida  game-fishes  that  are  used  as  food  this  is 
the  greatest.  Indeed,  there  are  few  game-fishes  which  excel  it  in 
size,  strength,  swiftness  of  movement,  or  fighting  powers.  The 
cero  is  a  fish  of  the  tropical  seas,  often  coming  in  immense  numbers 
to  the  coasts  of  Florida  and  the  Carolinas,  and  ranging  north  to  Cape 
Cod  and  south  to  Brazil  and  Africa.  It  is  common  on  our  South 
Atlantic  Coast  and  among  the  Florida  Keys.  At  Key  West  it  is, 
next  to  the  grunt,  the  most  important  food-fish.  It  usually  appears  in 
November  and  remains  until  April,  during  which  time  it  is  caught  by 
trolling.  It  is  said  to  school  at  spawning  time  which  is  late  in 
winter.  As  a  food-fish  it  takes  a  very  high  rank,  the  flesh  being 
firm  and  of  excellent  flavour. 

The  cero  reaches  a  length  of  5  feet  and  a  weight  of  100  pounds. 
Examples  weighing  40  to  50  pounds  are  not  rare.  The  largest  one  of 
which  we  could  find  an  authentic  record  at  Key  West  dressed  52 
pounds.  The  average  size,  however,  of  those  taken  about  Key 
West  is  only  about  10  pounds,  or  perhaps  even  less.  When  the 
Key  West  fisherman  desires  large  cero  he  directs  his  course  toward 
the  inshore  grounds,  lying  in  about  3  fathoms  of  water  and  \\  to  3 
miles  from  shore,  where  the  water  is  less  clear;  and  when  smaller 
ones  are  wanted  they  are  found  further  off  shore  along  the  edge  of 

287 


The  Petos 

the  Gulf  Stream  where  the  water  is  clearer.  The  large  and  smaller 
one  are  almost  invariably  found  in  separate  schools. 

The  cero  is  usually  caught  by  trolling  and  is  justly  regarded  as  one 
of  the  greatest  of  all  game-fishes.  A  stout  braided  line  is  best,  though 
laid  cotton  cod-lines  are  often  used.  A  cod  hook  with  long  shank, 
and  a  foot  or  2  of  stout  copper  or  brass  wire  to  withstand  the 
numerous  sharp  teeth  are  needed.  For  bait  a  strip  of  white  bacon 
rind,  5  to  8  inches  long,  cut  to  resemble  a  fish,  with  a  slit  in  the  upper 
end  and  one  in  the  middle  through  which  it  is  placed  on  the  hook, 
the  upper  end  being  secured  by  a  fine  wire.  A  block  tin  squid  or 
a  very  heavy  spinner  is,  however,  a  better  lure. 

In  lieu  of  anything  better  the  hook  may  be  wrapped  with  white 
muslin  ;  tin  foil,  or  anything  that  the  fish  can  easily  see,  will  answer 
very  well.  As  a  fighter  the  cero  is  chiefly  famous  on  account  of  the 
marvellous  leaps  which  he  makes.  Clearing  the  surface  by  10  feet  or 
more  is  no  unusual  thing.  And  Dr.  Henshall  tells  some  marvellous 
stories  of  its  jumping  powers,  but  it  is  fair  to  say  he  does  not 

vouch  for  them. 

• 

Head  5;  depth  6;  eye  large,  2  in  snout;  D.  XV-I,  I5-VIII; 
A.  II-I5-VIII;  pectoral  5;  gillrakers  very  short,  less  than  half 
diameter  of  eye,  about  8  below  angle.  Mouth  large,  maxillary 
reaching  below  eye;  lateral  line  decending  abruptly  below  second 
dorsal;  teeth  triangular,  strongly  compressed,  about  30  in  each  jaw. 
Colour  of  adult,  iron-gray,  nearly  or  quite  immaculate;  young  with 
the  sides  with  darker  yellowish  spots;  no  black  blotch  on  spinous 
dorsal  anteriorly. 


GENUS  ACANTHOCYBIUM  GILL 
The  Petos 

This  genus  differs  from  the  other  Scombroids  in  the  large  size  of 
the  spinous  dorsal,  there  being  about  25  spines  instead  of  10  to  16  as 
in  the  other  genera. 

The  only  species  is  A.  solandri,  known  variously  as  peto, 
wahoo,  and  guarapucu,  a  very  large,  mackerel-like  fish,  widely  dis- 
tributed in  tropical  seas.  This  great  fish  reaches  our  borders  only  in 
the  West  Indies  and  among  the  Florida  Keys.  It  reaches  a  length  of 
5  or  6  feet  and  a  weight  of  50  to  100  pounds,  and  is  known  to  spawn 
off  Cuba.  It  is  an  excellent  food-fish  and  is  taken  by  trolling,  but  we 
know  nothing  regarding  its  game  qualities. 

288 


THE    ESCOLARS 

Family   XXXIII.      Lepidopida 

THIS  family  contains  large,  mackerel-like  fishes  with  elongate 
body  covered  with  minute  scales. 

There  are  about  9  genera  and  17  species,  only  ^  of  which 
interest  us.  The  first  of  these  is  Ruvettus  pretiosus,  a  large, 
deep-water  fish,  generally  valued  as  food  in  the  tropics.  It  is 
abundant  about  Cuba  and  the  Madeiras,  and  is  often  taken  in 
the  Mediterranean.  It  is  also  occasionally  taken  off  the  Grand 
Banks.  Among  the  common  names  by  which  it  is  known  are 
escolar,  rovetto,  ruvetto,  chicolar,  oilfish,  scour-fish,  and  plain- 
fish.  It  reaches  a  weight  of  100  pounds. 

"The  Cubans  go  '  a-scholaring '  (' d  escolar  ear ')  after  the  fish- 
ing for  the  spearfish  has  ceased  and  before  that  for  the  red 
snapper  begins." 

The  flesh  is  white  and  flaky,  but  soft  and  insipid  in  the 
Madeiras,  according  to  Lowe,  where  its  extreme  oiliness  makes 
it  unwholesome. 

Another  food  species  of  this  family  is  the  rabbit-fish,  conejo 
or  Bermuda  catfish  ( Promethichthys  prometheus),  a  large  voracious 
fish  of  the  open  sea,  found  about  islands  in  the  tropical  Atlantic, 
chiefly  in  deep  water.  In  this  genus  the  ventral  fin  is  reduced 
to  a  single  spine. 


389 


THE    CUTLASS    FISHES 

Family   XXXIV.      Trichiurida 

BODY  extremely  elongate,  band-shaped,  naked,  tapering  to  a 
point,  the  ventral  fins  imperfect  or  wanting  and  the  spinous  and 
soft  parts  of  the  dorsal  fin  not  differentiated.  Mouth  wide, 
the  jaws  armed  with  strong  unequal  teeth.  Premaxillaries  not  pro- 
tractile. Pseudobranchiae  present.  Gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  fourth; 
gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  lateral  line  present; 
dorsal  fin  very  long,  low,  usually  continuous,  the  rays  all  similar; 
caudal  fin  absent;  anal  fin  very  long  and  "low,  scarcely  rising 
above  the  surface  of  the  skin;  ventrals  thoracic,  rudimentary 
(Eupleurogrammus)  or  wanting;  vertebrae  in  greatly  increased 
number,  about  160;  air-bladder  present;  pyloric  co2ca  numerous. 
Genera  2,  species  about  6. 

The  single  species  in  our  waters  is  Trichiurus  Upturns, 
known  as  the  cutlass-fish,  scabbard-fish,  silver-fish,  machete,  sable, 


or  savola,  a  long,  slender,  ribbon-like  fish  found  in  the  West 
Indies  and  north  to  Virginia.  It  occurs  also  on  the  Pacific  Coast 
about  Lower  California.  It  is  taken  occasionally  in  the  lower 
Chesapeake  and  along  the  South  Atlantic  Coast.  It  is  not  common 
at  Key  West  and  its  capture  usually  excites  much  interest.  In 
Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  known  by  the  very  appropriate  name, 
machete,  it  is  not  rare. 

Though  not  abundant  enough  to  be  of  commercial  importance, 
\t  is   nevertheless   an   excellent   food-fish. 


290 


THE   SAILFISHES 

Family   XXXV.      IstiopJiorida 

BODY  elongate,  much  compressed,  covered  with  elongate 
scutes;  bones  of  upper  jaw  consolidated  into  a  sword,  which  is 
roundish  on  the  edges  and  spear-like,  shorter  than  in  Xiphias] 
jaws  with  small,  persistent  granular  teeth;  ventral  fins  of  I  or  2 
rays  each,  attached  to  a  pelvic  arch;  dorsal  single  or  divided  into 
2  contiguous  portions,  the  first  much  longer  than  the  second,  the 
fin-rays  distinct,  the  first  rays  of  dorsal  distinctly  spinous;  anal 
divided,  last  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal  suctorial;  caudal  peduncle 
with  2  fleshy  crests  or  keels;  vertebrae  12+12=24,  elongate, 
hourglass-shaped;  neural  and  haemal  spines  flag-like;  ribs  well 
developed;  air-bladder  very  large,  sacculate,  of  numerous  separate 
divisions;  intestine  short,  straight;  gills  reticulated  as  in  Xiphias. 
Two  genera,  with  about  5  species,  oceanic,  similar  in  character 
and  habits  to  the  swordfishes,  but  smaller  in  size. 

The  genus  Istiophorus  contains  a  single  species  (I.  nigricans), 
known  variously  as  sailfish,  spikefish,  boohoo,  guebucu, .  voilier, 
agula  volador,  etc. 


The  sailfish  occurs  in  the  West  Indies  and  warmer  parts  of 
the  Atlantic  north  to  Key  West  and  France.  It  is  rather  common 
about  the  Florida  Keys,  and  examples  have  been  taken  at  New- 


The  Sailfishes 

port  and  Savannah.  It  reaches  a  length  of  6  feet  and  is  an  ex- 
cellent food-fish. 

The  genus  Tetrapturus,  distinguished  from  Istiophorus  by 
having  but  one  ray  in  the  ventral  fin,  contains  2  species,  the 
most  important  of  which  is  T.  imperator.  Among  its  common 
names  are  spearfish,  billfish,  and  aguja  blanca. 

This  great  fish  reaches  a  length  of  7  feet  or  more  and  a 
weight  of  150  pounds.  It  is  found  among  the  West  Indies  and 
on  our  coast  occasionally  as  far  north  as  Cape  Cod.  It  is  probably 
identical  with  the  species  found  in  southern  Europe.  They  swim 
in  deep  water,  according  to  Poey,  and  pass  Cuba  in  pairs  in 
summer. 

The  spearfish  is  sometimes  taken  on  the  hook.  When  the  fish 
has  swallowed  the  hook  it  rises  to  the  surface  where  it  makes  pro- 
digious leaps  and  plunges.  At  last  it  is  dragged  to  the  boat,  secured 
with  a  boat-hook,  and  beaten  to  death  before  it  is  hauled  on  board. 
Such  fishing  is  not  without  danger,  for  the  spearfish  sometimes  rushes 
upon  the  boat,  drowning  the  fisherman,  or  wounding  him  with  its 
terrible  weapon.  The  fish  becomes  furious  at  the  appearance  of 
sharks,  which  are  its  natural  enemies.  They  engage  in  violent  com- 
bats, and  when  the  spearfish  is  attached  to  the  fisherman's  line, 
it  often  receives  frightful  wounds  from  these  adversaries. 

The  other  species,  T.  amplus,  is  a  rare  fish  occurring  in  the 
West  Indies.  It  reaches  a  length  of  10  feet  or  more  and  a 
weight  of  800  pounds.  It  is  the  aguja  de  casta  of  the  Cubans, 
and  would  be  an  important  food-fish  were  it  more  abundant. 


THE  SWORDFISHES 

Family  XXXVI.     Xiphiidce 

THESE  are  fishes  of  great  size,  with  long,  naked  body ;  upper 
jaw  very  much  prolonged,  forming  a  "sword,"  which  is  flat- 
tened horizontally;  no  teeth  in  the  adult;  dorsal  fin  very  long; 
no  ventral  fins. 

The  single  species  of  this  family  is  Xiphias  gladius,  the  com- 
mon swordfish,  or  espada,  a  fish  of  very  wide  distribution.  It 
occurs  on  both  coasts  of  the  Atlantic,  being  most  frequent 
between  Cuba  and  Cape  Breton;  not  rare  off  Cape  Cod  and  on 
the  Grand  Banks;  rather  common  in  Southern  Europe.  It  occurs 
also  in  the  Pacific,  and  is  occasionally  taken  about  the  Santa 
Barbara  Islands.  An  enormous  fish  of  the  open  seas,  rivalling  the 
largest  sharks  in  size,  and  of  immense  strength  of  muscle. 

The  swordfish  attracted  the  attention  of  the  earliest  voyagers 
to  America.  As  early  as  1674,  Josselyn,  in  his  "Account  of 
Two  Voyages  to  New  England,"  wrote:  "And  in  the  afternoon 
we  saw  a  great  fish  called  the  Vehuella  or  Sword-fish,  having  a 
long,  strong  and  sharp  finn,  like  a  sword-blade  on  the  top  of 
his  head,  with  which  he  pierced  our  Ship,  and  broke  it  off  with 
striving  to  get  loose.  One  of  our  sailors  dived  and  brought  it 
aboard." 

The  maximum  size  of  the  swordfish  is  600  to  800  pounds, 
though  examples  of  more  than  400  pounds  are  not  often  seen. 

The  species  is  rather  abundant  for  so  large  a  fish.  Off  the 
New  England  Coast  3,000  to  6,000  of  these  fish  are  taken  every 
year.  Twenty-five  or  more  are  sometimes  seen  in  a  single  day. 
One  fisherman  killed  108  in  one  year. 

The  food  of  the  swordfish  consists  chiefly  of  the  common 
schooling  species  of  fishes,  such  as  the  menhaden,  herring,  mackerel, 
bonito  and  bluefish.  They  are  said  to  rise  beneath  a  school  of 
small  fish,  striking  to  the  right  and  left  with  their  swords  until 
they  have  killed  a  number,  which  they  then  proceed  to  Devour 


293 


THE  PAPAGALLOS 

Family  XXX  VI I.      Nematistiidce 

THIS  family  is  related  to  the  Carangidce,  from  which  it  is 
distinguished  by  the  peculiar  development  of  the  anal  and  dorsal 
spines. 

Only   a   single   species,    Nematistius  pectoralis,   is    known.      It 


is  a  large,  showily-coloured  fish,  generally  common  from  the  Gulf 
of  California  to  Panama.  It  reaches  a  length  of  3  or  4  feet, 
and  is  used  for  food  at  Guaymas,  La  Paz,  Mazatlan,  and  per- 
haps elsewhere.  It  is  known  as  the  pez  de  gallo,  or  papagallo, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  stately  fishes  in  our  waters,  its  long, 
brightly  coloured  rays  giving  it  a  most  striking  appearance. 


Colour,    plumbeous    on  the   back  and   opercles;    sides   golden; 
an  indigo-blue  crossband  on  snout,    another  on  forehead,   a  third 


The  Papagallos 

from  nape  to  subopercle;  a  broad  indigo  band  from  first  dorsal 
spine  to  near  vent;  a  curved  band  from  sixth  dorsal  spine  down- 
ward and  across  to  base  of  upper  caudal  rays;  dorsal  spines 
banded  with  alternate  blue-black  and  white;  lower  half  of  pectoral 
black. 


295 


THE    PAMPANOS 

Family   XXXVIII.     Carangidce 

BODY  more  or  less  compressed,  and  often  elevated,  sometimes 
naked,  or  more  usually  covered  with  small,  thin,  cycloid  scales;  head 
compressed,  the  occipital  keel  prominent,  usually  trenchant;  mouth 
of  varying  size,  the  teeth  generally  small;  premaxillaries  usually  pro- 
tractile; lateral  line  complete,  anteriorly  arched,  the  posterior  part 
straight,  sometimes  armed  with  bony  plates;  dorsal  fins  more  or  less 
separated,  the  spinous  part  rather  weak,  the  spines  usually  depres- 
sible  in  a  groove;  anal  fin  long,  similar  to  the  soft  dorsal,  always  pre- 
ceded by  2  stiff  spines,  usually  separate,  but  more  or  less  connected 
with  the  fin  or  with  each  other  in  the  young,  these  sometimes  dis- 
appearing with  age;  often  a  procumbent  spine  before  the  dorsal  fin; 
ventral  fins  thoracic,  well  developed,  I,  5;  caudal  peduncle  very 
slender,  the  lobes  widely  forked;  gill-opening  very  wide,  the  mem- 
branes usually  not  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus;  pseudobranchiae 
large,  sometimes  disappearing  with  age.  Genera  about  30,  species 
about  200,  abounding  in  warm  seas,  often  moving  north  in 
summer,  like  the  Scombridce.  They  swim  swiftly,  often  with  the 
dorsal  fin  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  Most  of  the  species  are  of 
wide  distribution,  and  nearly  all  are  valued  as  food. 

The  19  genera  represented  in  our  waters  by  many  species  are  as 
follows  : 

a.  Premaxillaries  not  protractile; Oligoplites,  297 

aa.    Premaxillaries  protractile. 

b.  Anal  fin  much  shorter  than  soft  dorsal,  its  base  not  longer  than 

the  abdomen. 

c.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  without  finlets. 

d.  Membrane  of  dorsal  spines  disappearing  with  age;..Naucrates,  298 

dd.    Membrane  of  dorsal  spines  persistent; Seriola,  299 

cc.    Dorsal  and  anal  fins  each  with  a  detached  2-rayed  finlet; 

Eiagatis,  301 

bb.   Anal    fin    about  as   long  as  soft   dorsal,    its   base  longer   than 
abdomen. 

e.  Maxillary  with  a  supplemental  bone;  pectoral  long  and  falcate. 
/.    Dorsal  outline  more  strongly  curved  than  ventral  outline. 

g.    Dorsal  and  anal  each  with  a  single  detached  fm\e\.].Decapterus,   502 

gg.    Dorsal  and  anal  without  finlets. 

h.    Lateral  line  with  well  developed  scutes  for  its  entire  length; 

Trachurus,  302 
hh.    Lateral  line  with  scutes  on  its  straight  portion  only. 

296 


The  Leather-Jacks 

i.    Shoulder-girdle  with  a  deep  cross-furrow  at  its  junction  with  the 

isthmus;    body  slender; Trachurops,  303 

it.   Shoulder-girdle  normal ;  body  deeper. 

/.    Body  oblong  or  more  or  less  elevated,  not  as  below. 

k.   Teeth  of  jaws  in  few  series  or  one,  unequal  or  at  least  not  forming 

villiform  bands. 
/.    Maxillary  very  narrow;  head  small;   teeth  on  vomer  and  palatines 

minute  or  obsolete ; Hemicaranx,  303 

//.    Maxillary  broad;    head  rather  larger;   vomer  and  palatines   with 

teeth ; Carangus,  304 

kk.   Teeth  of  jaws  equally  small  or  wanting,  forming  villiform  bands 

if  present. 
m.   Teeth  very  minute,  disappearing  in  the  adult;  no  teeth  on  vomer 

or  palatines ; Caranx,  308 

mm.   Teeth  persistent,   in  bands;    vomer  and  palatines  with  minute 

teeth. 
n.   Soft   dorsal   with   none   of  its   rays   produced   in   filaments; 

Carangoides,  308 

nn.    Soft  dorsal  with  i  to  6  rays  produced  in  filaments. 
o.    Body  moderately  compressed,  its  edges  not  trenchant \..Citula,  308 
oo.    Body  deep,  greatly  compressed,  its  edges  all  trenchant. 

p.    Soft  dorsal  lobe  very  high,  filamentous; Alectis,  308 

pp.    Soft  dorsal  lobe  low ; Hynnis,  309 

jj.    Body  broad-ovate,  very  strongly  compressed; Vomer,   309 

hhh.    Lateral  line  without  any  scutes; Selene,  311 

ff.    Dorsal    outline    less    strongly    curved    than    the    ventral; 

Chloroscombrus,  312 
ee.    Maxillary  without  supplemental  bone;  pectoral  short,  not  falcate. 

q.    Forehead  not  much  elevated; Trachinotus,  313 

qq.    Forehead  more  elevated ; Zalocys,  319 


GENUS  OLIGOPLITES  GILL 
The  Leather-Jacks 

This  genus  is  characterized  by  the  compressed,  lanceolate  body; 
slender,  unkeeled  caudal  peduncle;  short,  compressed,  acute  head; 
sharp  occipital  keel;  rather  large  mouth,  with  small,  sharp  teeth  in 
bands  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  small,  linear,  extremely  narrow 
scales  which  are  imbedded  in  the  skin  at  different  angles;  unarmed 
lateral  line;  and  short  pectorals. 

In  our  waters  there  are  but  3  species,  none  of  them  of  much 
food-value.  The  common  leather-jack  or  zapatero  (Oligoplites 

297 


The    Leather-Jacks 


saurus),  is  found  on  both  coasts  of  Tropical  America,  and  is  common 
in  the  West  Indies  and  along  the  Florida  coast,  ranging  north  to 
New  York  and  Lower  California.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length,  and  is  a 
very  handsome  fish,  often  leaping  from  the  water.  It  is  of  very  little 
value  as  food,  the  flesh  being  dry  and  bony. 

The  genus  Naucrates  contains  the  pilot-fish,   N.  ductor,   which 
differs  from  Seriola  only  in  the  reduction  of  the  spinous  dorsal  to  a 


few  (4  or  5)  low,  disconnected  spines.  The  pilot-fish  is  a  pelagic 
fish,  widely  distributed  in  the  open  seas.  On  our  Atlantic  Coast  it  is 
found  occasionally  from  Cape  Cod  to  the  West  Indies.  It  reaches  2 
feet  in  length. 


298 


GENUS   SERIOLA    CUl/IER 

The  Amber-fishes 

Body  oblong,  moderately  compressed,  not  elevated;  occiput 
and  breast  not  trenchant;  mouth  comparatively  large,  with  broad 
bands  of  villiform  teeth  on  both  jaws,  tongue,  vomer,  and  pala- 
tines; maxillary  with  a  broad,  strong  supplemental  bone;  pre- 
maxillaries  protractile;  scales  small;  lateral  line  scarcely  arched, 
forming  a  keel  on  caudal  peduncle,  not  armed  with  bony  plates; 
sides  of  head  with  small  scales;  first  dorsal  with  about  7  low 
spines,  connected  by  membrane;  second  dorsal  very  long,  elevated 
in  front;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal  but  not  nearly  so  long,  pre- 
ceded by  2  very  small  free  spines,  which  disappear  in  old  fishes; 
no  finlets;  ventrals  very  long;  pectorals  short  and  broad. 

Species  of  moderate  or  large  size,  often  beautifully  coloured; 
most  of  them  valued  as  food-fishes. 

Of  the  8  species  occurring  in  our  waters  3  or  4  are  good 
food-fishes,  and  at  least  one  is  an  excellent  game-fish. 

a.  Head   longer  than   deep,    the  profile   not  very   steep;   a  yellow 

lateral  band. 

b.  Dorsal   rays  36  to   38. 

c.  Mouth   rather  small,  the  maxillary  barely   reaching   pupil,  2f  in 

head ;  dorsalis,  300 

cc.  Mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  middle  of  eye,  z\  in 

head ; ^onata,  300 

bb.  Dorsal  rays  30  to  34. 

d.  Body  slender,  the  depth   j,\  to   3!  in  length; lalandi,  301 

dd.    Body   deeper,  the   depth    about  3   in   length; dumerili,  301 

aa.    Head   deeper  than   long,  the  anterior  profile  steep;  no  yellow 

lateral    band. 

e.  Dorsal  not  falcate,  its  soft  rays  32. 

/.  Body  rather  elongate,  the  depth  3!  in  length;  nuchal  band 
obscure ; ma^atlana,  301 

ff.  Body  rather  deep,  the  depth  3  in  length;  dark  nuchal  band 
distinct ; fasciata,  301 

ee.  Dorsal  and  anal  falcate,  their  anterior  lobes  more  than  half 
depth  of  body,  the  dorsal  rays  27  to  30. 

g.   Nuchal   band   dark   brown   or  black ; rivoliana,  30 1 

gg.    Nuchal  band   pale   yellow ; falcata,  301 


299 


California  Yellowtail 


California   Yellowtail 

Seriola   dorsalis  (Gill) 

The  yellowtail  is  found  on  our  Pacific  Coast  from  Mazatlan 
and  Cape  San  Lucas  north  to  the  Santa  Barbara  Islands.  It 
usually  occurs  in  abundance  about  Coronado  Island  during  the 
spawning  season,  arriving  in  July  and  leaving  in  the  fall.  It 
reaches  a  length  of  3  feet,  is  an  excellent  food-fish,  and  is  much 
sought  by  anglers.  At  Coronado  Island  it  is  one  of  the  many 
really  great  game-fishes. 


Rudder-fish  ;    Shark   Pilot 

Seriola   sonata  (Mitchill) 

This  fish  is  found  from    Cape    Hatteras  to    Cape    Cod.     The 
adult  is  not  common,  but  the  banded  young  are  not  rare  north- 

300 


Amber-fish;  Coronado 

ward.  It  attains  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet,  but  is  not  highly 
regarded  as  a  food-fish.  It  is  too  rare  to  be  of  much  interest 
to  the  angler. 

Colour,  bluish  above,  white  below;  side  with  about  6  broad 
black  bars,  these  forming  3  large  blotches  on  the  dorsal  and  2 
on  the  anal,  these  bars  growing  fainter  and  disappearing  with 
age;  an  oblique  dark  band  from  the  spinous  dorsal  to  the  eye, 
the  space  above  this  olivaceous;  spinous  dorsal  black;  ventrals 
mostly  black. 

Amber-fish  ;  Coronado 

Seriola  lalandi  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes 

The  amber-fish  is  an  immense  fish,  reaching  a  length  of  5 
or  6  feet  and  a  weight  of  more  than  100  pounds,  occurring  from 
west  Florida  to  Brazil,  and  occasionally  north  to  New  Jersey. 
In  the  Gulf  it  is  rather  common  and  is  valued  as  food. 

Colour,  dorsal  fin  dusky,  with  a  light-yellow  submarginal 
band;  pectoral  fin  dusky-yellowish;  ventrals  vellow  and  blackish; 
anal  blackish,  with  pale  edge. 

Amber-jack 

Seriola  dumerili  (Risso) 

This  species,  also  called  amber-fish  and  coronado,  is  of  wide 
distribution.  It  occurs  both  in  the  Mediterranean  and  the  West 
Indies.  It  is  rather  common  about  Pensacola  and  Key  West, 
and  is  a  food-fish  of  some  importance. 

Colour,  grayish  silvery  below;  a  gilt  band  through  eye  to 
caudal,  and  another  through  temporal  region  to  front  of  soft 
dorsal;  fins  plain;  no  dark  cross-bands.  Very  close  to  S.  lalandi, 
but  smaller,  the  body  deeper  and  less  compressed;  mouth  larger 
than  in  S.  dorsalis,  but  about  as  in  S.  lalandi. 

S.  ma^atlana,  fasciata,  rivoliana  and  falcata  are  unimportant 
species. 

The  genus  Elagatis  is  close  to  Seriola  and  contains  a  single 
species,  E.  bipinnulatus,  a  large  pelagic  fish,  reaching  a  length 
of  2\  feet.  It  occurs  in  most  tropical  seas  and  is  occasionally 
seen  in  the  West  Indies  from  which  it  sometimes  strays  north 

301 


The  Scad ;    Round  Robin  or  Quia-Quia 

to   Long    Island.      It   may    be    known    by  the    2    small    detached 
finlets  and  the  short  anal.      It  is   sometimes   called   runner. 

The  genus  Decaplerus  contains  the  mackerel  scads  of  which 
there  are  several  species,  only  5  of  which  occur  within  our 
limits.  One  of  these,  D.  punctatus,  known  as  the  scad,  round 
robin  or  ^uia-quia,  is  common  on  the  coasts  of  Florida  and 


among  the  West  Indies.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length.  Another 
species  is  the  common  mackerel  scad,  D.  macarellus,  which  is 
found  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  Atlantic.  It  strays  northward 
on  our  coast  to  Cape  Cod. 

The  genus  Trachurus  has  only  2  species  within  our  limits, 
neither  of  much  value  as  food. 

The  xurel  or  saurel,  T.  symmetricus,  is  common  on  our 
Pacific  Coast  from  San  Francisco  south  to  the  Galapagos.  In 


summer  it  is  abundant    in  the  San    Francisco    markets    where  it 
is  regarded  as  a  good  food-fish.      It  reaches  2  feet  fn  length. 

302 


The  Akule 

The  other  species  is  T.  trachurus,  which  is  found  in  the 
North  Atlantic.  It  is  rare  on  our  coast. 

The  genus  Trachurops  differs  from  Carangus  chiefly  in  the 
more  elongate  form.  The  single  species,  T.  crumenophthalma, 
is  a  well-known  fish  of  wide  distribution.  In  the  Atlantic  it  is 


found  among  the  West  Indies  and  occasionally  north  to  Cape 
Cod.  On  the  Pacific  Coast  it  occurs  from  Cape  San  Lucas 
southward.  Among  the  Hawaiian  Islands  it  is  an  abundant  and 
important  food-fish  and  is  known  as  the  akule.  Its  common 
names  in  American  waters  are  goggler,  big-eyed  scad,  and  goggle- 
eyed  jack. 

The  genus  Hemicaranx  differs  from  Carangus  chiefly  in  the 
narrow  maxillary.  Our  waters  contain  6  or  7  species,  none  of 
great  value  as  food.  The  most  important  is  H.  amblyrhynchus, 


which  is  found  from  Cape  Hatteras  to  Brazil.  It  is  rather  com- 
mon among  the  West  Indies,  and  is  seen  now  and  then  on 
the  Florida  coast. 


GENUS  CARANGUS  GRIFFITH 
The  Cavallas 

Body  ovate  or  oblong,  compressed,  the  back  sometimes  con- 
siderably elevated;  mouth  moderate  or  large,  oblique;  maxillary 
broad,  reaching  below  eye,  with  a  well-developed  supplemental 
bone;  premaxillaries  protractile;  teeth  in  one  or  few  series,  un- 
equal, or  at  least  not  in  villiform  bands;  villiform  teeth  usually 
present  on  vomer,  palatines  and  tongue,  deciduous  or  wanting  in 
some  species;  gillrakers  long;  eye  large  with  an  adipose  eyelid; 
dorsal  spines  rather  low,  connected;  second  dorsal  long,  usually 
elevated  in  front,  both  fins  •  depressible  in  a  groove;  anal  similar  to 
second  dorsal  and  nearly  as  long,  preceded  by  2  rather  strong 
spines,  its  base  longer  than  the  abdomen;  caudal  fin  strongly 
forked,  the  peduncle  very  slender;  pectoral  falcate;  no  fmlets; 
scales  present,  usually  very  small;  lateral  line  with  its  posterior 
portion  armed  with  strong,  bony  plates,  which  grow  larger  on 
the  tail,  each  plate  armed  with  a  spine;  a  short  dorsal  branch 
of  lateral  line  usually  present;  preopercle  entire  in  adult,  serrate 
in  the  young;  species  very  numerous  in  all  warm  seas,  most  of 
them  valued  as  food. 

a.  Teeth   on   vomer  and   palatines  persistent. 

b.  Soft   dorsal   and   anal   low,    not   much   elevated   in  front,  little   if 

at  all  falcate;  teeth   in  jaws   in   one   or  few  series,  with   no 
canines. 

c.  Lateral    line    strongly   arched,  the  arched   part   not  half  as   long 

as  straight  portion ; vinctus,  305 

cc.  Lateral  line   little   arched,  the   arched  part   not   shorter  than  the 
straight   portion. 

d.  Body   slender,    the    depth     about    3^    in     length;    colour    dark, 

chiefly  bluish ; ruber,  305 

dd.  Body  deeper,  the  depth  about  2f  in  length;  colour  pale, 

mostly  golden bartholomcei,  305 

bb.  Soft  dorsal  and  anal  much  elevated  in  front,  and  more  or  less 

falcate;    upper  teeth   in   a  band,   the   outer   enlarged;    lower 

teeth   in   one   series. 

e.  Breast    naked,     except    a    small   rhombic    area    before    ventrals; 

hippos,  306 
ee.  Breast  entirely   covered   with   small   scales. 

f.  Body   subfusiform,    the   depth    less  than   £  the   length;    teeth    of 

outer  series  small,  not   canine-like. 

g.  Pectoral    fin    moderate,    rarely   longer    than   head;   scutes   about 

50 ; , cry sos,  306 

3°4 


AMBER  JACK,  Seriola  lalandi 


YELLOW  JACK,  Carangus  barthotomai 


The  Cavallas 

gg.  Pectoral  fin   very  long,    much   longer  than   head;   scutes   about 
40; caballus,  306 

ff.  Body  oblong-ovate,    the   depth   more  than  \  the  length. 

h.  General   colour  silvery;   vertical  fins   not  all   black. 

7.  Body   moderately   elevated,  the  depth  in  adult  £  to  ^  the  length; 
opercular  spot  very   small   or  obsolete;  no  pectoral  spot. 

/.  Body  rather  slender,    the  depth   about  2f   in   the   length;    dorsal 
and   caudal   fins  largely    black; marginatus,  306 

jj.  Body   deeper,    the   depth   about    2\  in   length;   caudal  fin   pale, 
the   dorsal   scarcely    dusky ; latus,   306 

ii.  Body   much  elevated,  the  depth  in  adult  2\  in  length-;  no  oper- 
cular spot;   a  dark  spot  in   axil; medusicola,  307 

hh.  General   colour  brassy   or  blackish;  vertical  fins  black. 

k.  Anterior  profile    gibbous,  scutes  about  28; htgubris,  307 

hk.  Anterior  profile   scarcely  gibbous;   scutes  about  35; 

melampygus,  307 

aa.  Teeth  on   vomer  and   palatines   wanting  or    deciduous;.... 

guara,  307 

Carangus  vinctus  .  is  known  only  from  the  Pacific  Coast  of 
Mexico  from  Lower  California  to  Punta  Arenas.  It  is  a  well- 
marked  species,  abundant  about  the  entrance  to  the  Gulf  of 
California. 

Colour,  dusky,  bluish  above,  silvery  below,  with  golden  and 
greenish  reflections;  8  or  9  vertical  dark  half-bars  from  back  to 
below  lateral  line,  the  widest  about  equal  to  diameter  of  orbit, 
and  more  than  twice  as  wide  as  the  light  interspaces;  breast 
blackish;  head  dusky,  end  of  snout  black;  a  distinct  black  blotch 
on  upper  angle  of  opercle;  fins  somewhat  dusky,  the  lower  yel- 
low in  life;  pectoral  without  spot;  axil  dusky;  anal  white  at 
tip. 

Carangus  ruber  is  known  only  from  Cuba  and  St.  Croix,  in 
the  West  Indies;  not  abundant  enough  to  be  of  any  value  as 
food. 

Colour,  bluish-olive,  silvery  below,  scarcely  yellowish  in  life; 
a  vaguely  defined  horizontal  stripe  of  clear  blue  just  below  the 
dorsal;  dorsal  yellowish-gray,  other  fins  dusky  olive;  a  distinct 
blackish  bar  extending  along  lower  lobe  of  caudal. 

Carangus  bartholomcei  occurs  in  the  West  Indies,  and  occa- 
sionally north  to  Florida  and  the  Carolinas.  It  is  common  about 
Cuba  and  is  of  some  little  value  as  food. 

3°5 


The  Cavallas 

Colour,  bluish  silvery,  everywhere  strongly  washed  with 
golden,  the  young  with  golden  spots;  fins  nil  pale  yellow;  no  black 
on  opercle  or  lower  lobe  of  caudal.  It  is  known  as  the  yellow-jack. 

Carangus  hippos,  the  cavalla  or  jack,  is  the  most  abundant 
and  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  the  genus.  It  is  found  on 
both  coasts  of  tropical  America,  north  to  Cape  Cod  and  the  Gulf 
of  California.  It  occurs  also  in  the  East  Indies,  and  is  every- 
where a  food-fish  of  considerable  importance.  On  our  Atlantic 
Coast  it  is  next  in  abundance  to  C.  crysos. 

Colour,  olivaceous  above,  sides  and  under  parts  golden;  a  large 
faint  black  spot  on  lower  rays  of  pectoral;  axil  with  a  black 
blotch;  edge  of  soft  dorsal  black;  upper  edge  of  caudal  peduncle 
dusky. 

Carangus  crysos,  the  runner,  hard  tail,  or  jurel,  reaches  a 
foot  or  more  in  length  and  is  found  from  Brazil  north  to 
Cape  Cod.  It  is  more  abundant  northward  than  any  other  species 
of  Carangus,  and  is  a  food-fish  of  considerable  importance,  espe- 
cially in  the  West  Indies. 

Colour,  greenish-olive,  golden-yellow  or  silvery  below ;  a 
black  blotch  on  opercle;  fins  all  pale. 

Carangus  caballus,  the  cocinero,  is  the  representative  of  C. 
crysos  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  It  occurs  from  Panama  and  Cerros 
Island  northward  to  San  Diego,  and  is  quite  abundant  from  the 
Gulf  of  California  southward. 

Carangus  marginatus  occurs  on  the  Pacific  Coast  of  Mexico 
from  Mazatlan  to  Panama,  and  is  not  uncommon.  From  C.  latus, 
which  it  closely  resembles,  it  may  be  readily  known  by  its  less 
slender  form,  dark  colours,  and  larger  eye. 

Carangus  latus,  the  horse-eye  jack,  inhabits  the  same  waters 
as  the  preceding,  and  is  also  found  on  the  Atlantic  Coast  from 
Brazil  to  South  Carolina  and  Virginia.  It  also  occurs  in  the 
East  Indies.  It  is  not  of  much  value  as  food.  The  flesh,  in 
some  places  in  the  tropics,  is  reputed  poisonous,  giving  rise  to 
the  disease  called  Ciguatera.  It  is  abundant  southward,  but 
further  north  it  is  less  common  than  C.  hippos. 

306 


RUNNER,  Carangus  crysos 


HORSE-EYE  JACK,  Carangus  latus 


The  Cavallas 

Colour,  bluish,  sides  golden  or  silvery;  a  very  small,  black 
opercular  spot;  young  sometimes  with  faint  dark  crossbands;  fins 
mostly  grayish;  anterior  part  of  soft  dorsal  dusky;  caudal  yellow, 
no  black;  no  spot  on  pectoral;  no  axillary  spot. 

Carangus  medusicola  is  known  only  from  the  vicinity  of 
Mazatlan  where  it  is  very  common  on  sandy  shores.  The  young 
of  an  inch  in  length  are  very  abundant  in  the  body-cavity  of  a 
large  translucent  jelly-fish  found  about  the  Venados  Islands  in 
January.  This  fish  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and  is  of  some 
food-value. 

Colour,  clear  blue  above,  silvery  below;  no  bands  or  spots 
anywhere,  except  a  small,  black  axillary  spot,  and  a  blue-green 
patch  on  back  of  caudal  peduncle;  pectoral  bright  yellow;  anal 
and  caudal  yellow,  the  lobes  blackish;  ventrals  yellow;  young 
with  a  deep-blue  spot  above  the  eye  in  life. 

Carangus  higubris  is  a  rare  species  found  about  rocky  islands 
in  the  tropics  in  both  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific.  We  have  specimens 
from  Clarion  Island  of  the  Revillagigedo  group,  from  Cuba,  and 
from  off  Mobile  harbor.  It  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches  or 
more.  It  is  rather  common  about  Cuba,  where  it  is  regarded  as 
poisonous,  and  its  sale  in  the  markets  is  forbidden.  Its  specific 
name,  lugubris,  mournful,  is  from  its  dark  colour  and  especially 
its  bad  reputation,  associated  with  the  much  dreaded  Ciguatera, 
a  disease  resulting  from  fish-poisoning. 

Carangus  melampygus  is  widely  distributed  about  islands  in 
the  tropical  Pacific  and  in  the  East  Indies.  It  is  known  from 
the  Hawaiian  Islands  and  from  the  Revillagigedos.  It  resembles 
C.  lugubris,  but  the  anterior  profile  is  scarcely  gibbous,  and  the 
side  has  many  small  dark-brown  spots. 

Carangus  guara  is  one  of  the  largest  species  of  the  genus. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  2  feet  or  more.  It  occurs  in  tropical 
parts  of  the  Atlantic,  in  the  Mediterranean,  along  the  coasts  of 
Africa,  Brazil,  and  the  Madeiras,  but  it  is  not  certainly  known 
from  the  West  Indies.  From  other  species  it  may  be  known  by 
the  absence  of  teeth  on  the  vomer  and  palatines. 

307 


The  Cavallas 

The  genus  Caranx  differs  from  Carangus  mainly  in  the 
dentition,  the  teeth  being  very  small,  granular,  and  are  entirely  lost 
with  age;  maxillary  broad,  body  compressed,  the  fins  without 
filaments. 

Our  single  known  species  is  the  mojarra  dorada,  Caranx 
speciosus,  which  occurs  in  the  Red  Sea,  the  Indian  Ocean,  and  in 
the  tropical  Pacific  north  to  Cape  San  Lucas.  It  is  frequent  on 
sandy  shores  and  is  an  excellent  food-fish.  It  reaches  a  length 
of  2  feet. 

Colour,  brilliant  golden;  side  with  6  broad,  dusky  crossbands, 
a  narrow  stripe  between  each  pair  of  broader  ones;  opercular 
spot  obsolete;  a  small  black  spot  in  axil:  caudal  lobes  dusky  on 
inner  edge;  no  dark  caudal  spot. 

The  genus  Carangoides  is  close  to  Carangus,  but  has  the 
persistent  teeth  all  small  and  in  villiform  bands  on  jaws,  vomer, 
palatines,  and  tongue;  lateral  line  scarcely  arched;  body  oblong, 
not  much  elevated;  none  of  the  dorsal  rays  produced.  The  only 
known  species  is  C.  orthogrammus,  thus  far  found  only  at  Clarion 
Island. 

The  genus  Citula  differs  from  Carangoides  mainly  in  having 
one  or  more  of  the  anterior  rays  of  the  soft  dorsal  produced  in 
filaments.  The  body  has  not  the  distorted  form  seen  in  Alectis 
but  is  more  like  that  of  Carangus.  Species  found  chiefly  in  warm 
seas.  The  only  species  in  our  waters  is  C.  dorsalis,  the  Pacific 
pompano.  This  fish  occurs  on  sandy  shores  from  Mazatlan  to 
Panama.  It  reaches  about  2  feet  in  length,  but  is  not  very 
abundant. 

Colour,  steel-blue  above,  silvery  below,  with  golden  reflections; 
fins  all  pale,  tinged  with  yellowish;  axil  jet  black;  ventrals  tipped 
with  dusky;  opercle  dusky  along  the  edge,  blackish  within;  a 
dark  spot  on  orbit  above. 

The  genus  Alectis  is  not  essentially  different  from  Carangus, 
the  great  change  in  form  arising  from  no  important  modification 
of  the  skeleton.  The  changes  due  to  age  are  surprisingly  great, 
the  young  being  almost  orbicular,  and  the  dorsal  filaments  ex- 
ceedingly long.  There  are  several  tropical  species.  The  only  one 
in  our  waters  is  A.  ciliaris,  the  thread-fish,  cobbler-fish  or  sun- 

308 


The  Moon-fishes 

fish.      This    interesting    and    beautiful    little    fish    occurs    on  both 

coasts   of  tropical    America,  ranging   north   to    Mazatlan   and  Cape 

Cod.     It   is   generally   common  southward  about  the   Florida  Keys 
and    Cuba,  and   is   a  food-fish   of   some   importance. 

Head  3^;  depth  i£  to  2;  D.  VI-I,  19;  A.  II-I,  16;  scutes  12. 
Body  oval,  much  compressed,  highest  at  the  elevated  bases  of  the 
dorsal  and  anal  fins;  preorbital  very  deep;  mouth  nearly  horizontal 
in  adult,  very  oblique  in  the  young;  first  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal 
filamentous,  exceedingly  long,  in  the  young  much  longer  than 
body,  becoming  shorter  with  age.  Colour,  bluish  above,  golden 
yellow  below;  a  dark  blotch  on  opercle;  a  black  spot  on  orbit 
above;  a  black  blotch  on  dorsal  and  one  on  anal  in  front. 

The  genus  Hynnis  is  close  to  Carangus,  but  has  the  high, 
compressed,  angular  body  of  Selene,  the  dorsal  and  anal  lobes 
not  ending  in  filaments,  and  the  caudal  peduncle  armed  with  a 
few  weak  plates  as  in  Alectis.  There  are  2  species  in  our  waters, 
H.  cubensis,  a  rare  species  known  only  from  Cuba,  and  H.  hopkinsi 
recently  described  from  Mazatlan.  It  attains  a  length  of  2  feet. 


GENUS  VOMER  CUVIER  &  VALENCIENNES 
The   Moon-fishes 

This  genus  is  closely  allied  to  Carangus,  from  which  it  differs 
only  in  its  distortion  of  form,  and  in  its  weak  teeth  and  very 
low  fins.  Body  broad-ovate,  very  strongly  compressed,  all  its  out- 
lines sharply  trenchant;  head  very  gibbous  above  the  eyes,  its 
anterior  profile  vertical;  lateral  line  strongly  arched,  its  posterior 
portion  with  very  weak  shields;  scales  minute;  soft  dorsal  and 
anal  extremely  low,  not  falcate.  Young  much  deeper  than  the 
adult,  all  the  fins  hLher,  resembling  the  next  genus.  Warm 
seas;  3  species  in  our  A  aters  The  first  of  these  is  V.  dorsalis. 
the  hcrsefish,  a  rare  specie-;  s.ikl  to  occui  on  the  west  coast  pi 
Africa,  about  the  Cape  Verde  Islands,  and  in  the  West  Indies 


3°9 


Moon-fish ;  Jorobado 


Moonfish;  Jorobado 

Vomet  setipinnis  (Mitchill) 

This  species  is  found  on  both  coasts  of  tropical  America,  from 
Brazil  to  Maine,  and  Peru  to  Cape  San  Lucas.  It  is  generally 
common  southward,  only  the  young  usually  coming  northward 
in  the  Gulf  Stream.  It  reaches  a  length  of  nearly  a  foot,  and  is 
an  excellent  little  food-fish. 

Colour,  greenish  above,  golden  or  silvery  below;  young  with 
a  black  blotch  at  origin  of  straight  part  of  lateral  line. 


Vomer  gabonensis  Guichenot 

The  corcobado  is  a  fish  that  was  but  little  known  until  the 
recent  investigations  by  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission  in  Porto  Rico, 
when  numerous  specimens  were  obtained.  It  is  now  known  from 
Brazil,  San  Domingo,  Jamaica,  and  Porto  Rico;  also  from  the 
west  coast  of  Africa.  It  attains  a  length  of  8  or  9  inches,  and 
is  a  good  food-fish.  From  V.  setipinnis,  which  it  resembles,  it 
may  be  distinguished  by  the  much  deeper  body,  larger  eye, 
greater  elevation  of  the  occipital  region,  and  the  more  nearly 
vertical  anterior  profile.  The  young  of  the  two  species  resemble 
each  other  more  closely.  At  a  length  of  4  inches  the  difference 

310 


The  Silvery  Moon-fishes 

in   relation   of  depth  to   length   becomes  apparent,    but  under  that 
size  the   present  species   is   distinguished   by   its   larger  eye. 

Body  ovate,  scarcely  longer  than  deep,  very  greatly  com- 
pressed; occipital  region  greatly  elevated,  making  height  of  body 
greatest  at  the  eyes;  anterior  profile  nearly  vertical  from  occiput 
to  eye,  opposite  which  it  becomes  concave;  snout  protruding. 
Colour,  rich  silvery,  with  an  iridescence  of  steel-blue  above  and 
pink  below,  with  a  light  golden  wash  below. 


GENUS   SELENE  LACEPEDE 
The  Silvery  Moon-fishes 

This  genus  is  very  close  to  Vomer,  from  which  it  differs  in 
the  entire  absence  of  scutes  on  the  lateral  line.  All  the  species 
are  found  in  tropical  seas,  only  2  coming  within  our  limits. 
The  first  of  these  is  the  Pacific  moon-fish  (S.  cerstedti)  which  is 
found  on  the  Mexican  coast  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama.  It  reaches 
15  inches  in  length,  and  possesses  some  food-value.  From  our 
Atlantic  species  it  may  be  distinguished  by  its  smaller  fins,  the 
dorsal  having  18  and  the  anal  but  15  soft  rays. 

Lookdown  ;  Horsehead 

Selene   vomer  (Linnaeus) 

This  is  perhaps  the  most  common  and  best  known  of  the 
moonfishes.  It  is  found  on  both  coasts  of  tropical  America, 
from  Cape  Cod  to  Brazil,  and  from  Lower  California  to  Peru. 
Southward  it  is  very  common  on  sandy  shores,  and  is  a  delicious 
food-fish,  reaching  a  weight  of  2  pounds. 

Anterior  profile  nearly  straight  from  tip  of  snout  to  occiput; 
one  or  2  of  the  dorsal  spines  very  long  and  filamentous  in  the 
young,  short  in  the  adult;  ventrals  and  anal  variable.  Colour, 
uniform  silvery,  resembling  a  sheet  of  mother-of-pearl  in  colour 
and  texture. 

3'1 


GENUS    CHLOROSCOMBRUS    GIRARD 
The  Casabes 

Body  oblong-ovate,  compressed,  not  elevated;  abdomen  prom- 
inent anteriorly,  its  carve  being  much  greater  than  the  curve  of 
the  back;  occiput  and  thoracic  region  trenchant;  caudal  peduncle 
very  narrow,  the  fin  widely  forked;  scales  small,  smooth;  lateral 
line  arched  in  front,  armed,  or  with  few  small  plates;  head 
nearly  naked;  mouth  rather  small,  oblique,  lower  jaw  scarcely 
projecting;  upper  jaw  protractile;  maxillary  broad,  emarginate  behind, 
with  a  large  supplemental  bone;  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines  with 
feeble  teeth,  mostly  in  single  series;  first  dorsal  of  feeble  spines, 
connected  by  membrane;  second  dorsal  and  anal  long  and  low, 
similar,  much  longer  than  the  short  abdomen;  anal  spines  strong; 
ventrals  small;  pectoral  falcate;  gillrakers  long;  no  finlets.  Species, 
2  or  3,  all  American,  and  of  little  value  as  food. 

Chloroscombrus  orquet*,  the  xurel  de  castilla  of  the  Mexicans, 
has  the  chord  of  the  curved  part  of  the  lateral  line  considerably 
longer  than  the  head,  and  the  colour  is  dusky.  This  species  is 
found  from  Lower  California  to  Panama,  at  which  latter  place  it 
is  rather  common.  It  is  of  little  value  for  food. 


Bumper;  Casabe 

Chloroscombrus  chrysurus  (Linnaeus) 

The  bumper   is   found   from   Cape  Cod  to  Brazil.      It  is  com- 
mon on  our  South   Atlantic   Coast  and  about  Cuba,  and  specimens 

312 


The  Pampanos 

were  obtained  by  us  in  Porto  Rico.  It  is  not  valued  as  food,  the 
flesh  being  thin  and  dry,  and  the  bones  large.  Where  common 
it  is  of  some  interest  as  a  game-fish,  as  it  takes  the  hook 
readily  and  may  be  caught  either  by  still-fishing  or  trolling. 

Colour,  greenish  above,  the  sides  and  below  golden;  caudal 
peduncle  dusky  above;  dark  opercular  and  axillary  spots;  insid" 
of  mouth  black,  fins  not  bordered  nor  tipped  with  black. 


GENUS   TRACHINOTUS  LACEPEDE 
The    Pampanos  or  Pompanos    * 

This  is,  commercially,  the  most  important  genus  of  the 
Carangidce,  containing,  as  it  does,  some  of  the  most  delicious 
of  all  food-fishes. 

Body  compressed,  moderately  elevated,  the  general  outline  ovate; 
caudal  peduncle  short  and  rather  slender;  abdomen  not  trenchant, 
shorter  than  the  anal  fin ;  head  moderately  compressed,  very  blunt, 
the  snout  abruptly  truncate;  mouth  nearly  horizontal,  maxillary 
reaching  middle  of  eye;  premaxillaries  protractile;  no  distinct  sup- 
plemental maxillary  bone;  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines  with  bands  of 
villiform  teeth,  which  disappear  with  age;  spinous  dorsal  represented 
by  6  rather  low  spines,  connected  by  membrane  in  the  young  but 
free  in  adult;  second  dorsal  long,  elevated  in  front,  anal  opposite  and 
similar  to  it;  2  stout,  nearly  free  spines  in  front  of  anal,  and  one  con- 
nected with  the  fin,  these  often  disappearing  with  age;  scales  smalJ 
and  smooth;  lateral  line  unarmed,  little  arched,  no  caudal  keel. 

Species  numerous,  about  a  dozen  in  our  waters,  most  of  them  of 
some  value  as  food,  and  a  few  among  the  most  highly  prized  of 
food-fishes.  , 

a.  Dorsal  with  19  or  20  soft  rays;  anal  with  17  to  19. 

b.  Body  very  much  compressed;  sides  with  narrow  black  crossbars; 

lobes  of  vertical  fins  elongate,  reaching  past  middle  of  caudal  in 
adult. 

c.  Snout  subtruncate  or  nearly  vertical;  profile  from  supraorbital  to 

front  of  dorsal  fin  convex ; glaucus,  3 1 4 

cc.    Snout  low,   very  oblique;    profile  from  supraorbital  to  front  of 
dorsal  scarcely  convex rhodopus,  314 


Old  Wife ;   Gaff-topsail   Pampano 

bb.    Body    moderately    compressed;     sides    without    narrow    black 
crossbars. 

d.  Body  broad,  ovate,  the  back  arched. 

e.  Lobes  of  vertical  fins  much  elevated,  that  of  dorsal  in  adult  much 

longer  than  head;  colour  pale. 

/.    Caudal  lobes  about  2f  in  length  of  body ; falcatus,  3 1 5 

ff.   Caudal  lobes  longer,  about  z\  in  body; rhomboides,  3 1 5 

ee.    Lobes   of  vertical  fins  low,   that  of  dorsal  in  adult  shorter  than 

head;    colour  dusky; cul-veri,  316 

dd.    Body  oblong,  the  profile  not  strongly  arched. 

g.   Axil    with    a    jet-black    spot;    depth    about    2\    in    length; 

kennedyi,  316 

gg.    Axil  not  black;  depth  about  2f ; goodei,   316 

aa.    Dorsal  with  25  to  27  soft  rays;  anal  with  22  to  26. 
h.    Dorsal  with  25  soft  rays;  anal  with  22. 

i.    Body  very  deep,  half  as  deep  as  long; argenteus,  317 

«.    Body  more  slender,  the  depth  f  the  length. 

/.    Head  moderate,  about  %  as  long  as  body;  dorsal  lobe  pale; 

carolinus,  317 

jj.    Head  larger,  3^  to  3^-  in  body;    dorsal  lobe  black;. . .  .paloma,  319 
hh.   Dorsal  with  27  soft  rays;  anal  with  26; cayennensis,  317 

Old  Wife;  Gaff-topsail  Pampano 

Trachinotus  glaucus  (Bloch) 

This  beautiful  fish  is  found  from  Virginia  to  the  Caribbean  Sea.  It 
is  found  at  Key  West  and  is  common  about  Porto  Rico  and  doubt- 
less about  others  of  the  West  Indies. 

It  attains  a  length  of  a  foot  or  more,  but  is  not  highly  valued  as 
food.  In  Porto  Rico,  however,  it  is  handled  by  the  fishermen  and 
ranks  with  the  species  of  Carangus  in  food-value. 

Colour,  bluish  above,  golden  below;  lobes  of  dorsal  and  anal 
black;  caudal  dark;  other  fins  pale;  body  with  4  narrow  vertical 
black  bars,  second  and  third  longest  and  plainest. 

Pampanito 

Trachinotus  rhodopus  Gill 

This  fish  is  found  from  the  Gulf  of  California  southward  to 
Panama.  It  is  very  common  on  sandy  shores,  replacing  on  the 
Pacific  Coast,  T.  glaucus,  which  it  much  resembles. 

314 


Round  Pampano;   Indian  River  Permit 

It  reaches  a  length  of  2  feet,  but  is  not  much  valued  as  food. 
It  may  be  known  from   T.  glaucus  by  the  difference  in  profile, 
the  snout  being  low  and  very  oblique. 

Colour,  bluish-green  above,  silvery  below;  side  with  5  short, 
narrow,  vertical  blackish  bars,  the  first  2  nearer  together  than 
the  others,  the  last  2  sometimes  reduced  to  spots, — these  bands 
always  faint  in  young  in  which  the  vertical  fins  are  also  much  lower; 
caudal,  dorsal,  and  anal  lobes  largely  of  a  bright  maroon  colour, 
or  orange-brown  in  life,  the  anterior  edge  blackish,  shading  off  into 
pinkish,  this  colour  present  at  all  ages. 


Round  Pampano;   Indian  River  Permit 

Trachinotus  falcatus  (Linnaeus) 

The  Round  Pampano  is  found  from  Cape  Cod  to  Florida,  along 
the  coast.  It  is  common  southward  but  occurs  northward  only  in 
the  Gulf  Stream 

It  reaches  a  foot  or  more  in  length  and  a  weight  of  3 
pounds,  and  is  a  good  food-fish.  It  may  be  known  from  the 
old  wife  and  the  pampanito  by  the  absence  of  dark  vertical  bars. 

Colour,  bluish  above,  silvery  below;  lobe  of  dorsal  black  in 
young;  fins  in  adult  all  bluish  with  lighter  tips. 

Trachinotus  rhomboides,  the  West  Indian  round  pompano, 
occurs  among  the  West  Indies  and  southward.  It  seems  to  differ 
from  T.  falcatus  in  the  higher  vertical  fins. 

315 


The  Mazatlan    Pompano 

Trachinotus  culvert,  the  Mazatlan  pompano,  has  lower  fins  than 
T.  falcatus,  which  it  closely  resembles  otherwise. 


It  is  known  only  from  the  vicinity  of  Mazatlan.  It  reaches  8 
to  10  inches  in  length. 

Trachinotus  kennedyi,  the  Pacific  palmoneta,  is  another  of  the 
rather  uncommon  species  of  this  genus.  It  occurs  on  our  Pacific 
Coast  from  Magdalena  Bay  to  Panama.  It  reaches  a  large  size 
and  is  of  value  as  a  food-fish.  It  is  the  Pacific  Coast  represen- 
tative of  T.  goodei  from  which  it  may  be  distinguished  by  the 
absence  of  a  black  axillary  spot  and  the  somewhat  deeper  body. 

Permit  ;  Great  Pompano 

Trachinotus  goodei  Jordan  &  Evermann 

The  permit  is  the  largest  of  all  pompanos.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  27  pounds  or  more.  It  occurs 
in  the  West  Indies  and  north  to  Florida.  It  occurs  about  Key 

316 


Common  Pompano 

West  and  is  occasionally  taken  in  Indian  River.  It  should  be 
remarked,  however,  that  by  the  Indian  River  fishermen  this  species 
is  not  distinguished  from  the  common  pompano,  and  that  the 
fish  known  to  them  as  the  "permit"  is  the  round  pompano 
(T.  falcatus}.  The  permit  is  an  excellent  food-fish,  not  as  good 
as  the  common  pompano,  but  usually  sold  as  that  species  and 
bringing  as  good  a  price. 

Head  3;  depth  2f;  D.  VI-I,  19;  A.  II-I,  17;  maxillary  2f; 
ventrals  2.  Body  oblong,  elliptical,  moderately  compressed;  profile 
nearly  straight  from  procumbent  spine  to  nostril,  where  it  des- 
cends nearly  vertically,  forming  an  angle,  the  vertical  portion 
from  angle  to  snout"  nearly  equalling  eye;  maxillary  reaching 
slightly  behind  middle  of  eye;  jaws  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth, 
disappearing  with  age;  ventrals  reaching  f  distance  to  vent;  dorsal 
and  anal  fins  falcate,  the  anterior  rays  less  elevated  than  in  the 
round  pompano,  but  extending  beyond  middle  of  fin  when  de- 
pressed; caudal  forked,  the  lobes  3  in  body;  lateral  line  nearly 
straight,  slightly  curved  upward  above  the  pectoral.  Colour, 
bluish-silvery  above,  silvery  below;  dorsal,  caudal,  and  anal  lobes 
black;  no  crossbars. 

Trachinotus  argenteus,  the  silvery  pompano,  is  a  very  rare 
species,  known  only  from  the  West  Indies  south  to  Brazil.  The 
type  specimen  was  recorded  from  New  York,  but  probably  really 
came  from  Brazil.  The  species  is  allied  to  T.  carolinus,  but 
probably  has  the  body  deeper,  the  depth  being  half  the  length 
in  examples  6  inches  long,  or  2^  in  length  in  the  type,  a  spec- 
imen a  foot  in  length. 

Common   Pompano 

Trachinotus  carolinus  (Linnaeus) 

The  common  pompano  has  its  home  along  our  South  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  Coasts.  It  is  rare  in  the  West  Indies  and  on  the  coast 
of  Brazil,  and  does  not  occur  on  our  Pacific  Coas*.  On  the 
Atlantic  Coast  it  ranges  as  far  north  as  Cape  Cod,  but  it  is  not 
at  all  common  north  of  New  Jersey,  and  its  occurrence  that  far 
north  is  irregular  and  uncertain.  It  seems  to  be  most  abundant 
on  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Coasts,  and  is  particularly  com- 
mon in  Indian  River  and  on  the  west  coast  of  Florida.  Of  all 

3*7 


Common   Pompano 

the  fishes  of  Indian  River,  the  pompano  is  the  most  valued  and 
brings  the  best  price  to  fishermen  and  dealers.  It  is  present  there 
throughout  the  year,  being  most  abundant  in  winter.  The  best 
fishing  seems  to  be  from  late  January  to  April.  They  are  most 
abundant  about  the  inlets,  and  play  in  and  out  with  the  tide. 
They  run  in  bunches  or  schools,  and  are  easily  influenced  by 
changes  in  temperature.  They  are  a  warm-water  fish,  and  a 
cold  snap  causes  them  to  leave  the  river  temporarily.  The  un- 
usual cold  of  December,  1894,  and  February,  1895,  affected  them 
quite  seriously,  not  only  driving  them  away,  but  actually  killing 
many.  The  pompano  does  not  appear  to  be  properly  a  migra- 
tory fish,  and  when  it  leaves  Indian  River  it  probably  does  not 
wander  far  from  the  inlets.  In  summer,  however,  when  the 
water  is  warm,  many  young  and  some  adults  are  apt  to  wander 
north  on  our  coasts  at  least  to  Woods  Hole.  Very  little  is  defi- 
nitely known  regarding  the  spawning  habits  of  the  pompano. 
On  the  east  coast  of  Florida  they  probably  spawn  in  Indian  River 
chiefly  in  April  and  May.  The  food  of  this  fish  consists  princi- 
pally of  small  bivalve  mollusks  and  small  crustaceans.  They  feed 
extensively  about  the  inlets  and  in  the  surf  outside.  They  are 
often  seen  rooting  or  digging  for  food  in  the  sand  or  mud,  their 
caudal  fins  sometimes  appearing  above  the  water. 

The  pompano  is  less  abundant  about  Key  West,  but  from  a 
little  further  north  on  the  Gulf  Coast  to  the  mouth  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi it  is  a  common  fish,  large  quantities  being  brought  to 
the  markets  of  Tampa  and  Pensacola.  On  the  west  side  of  the 
Gulf  it  appears  to  be  uncommon.  About  Pensacola  it  seems  to 
be  a  migratory  fish,  but  southward  it  is  probably  not  so. 

The  pompano  reaches  a  length  of  about  18  inches  and  a 
weight  of  7  or  8  pounds,  though  examples  of  more  than  2  or 
3  pounds  are  not  now  often  seen. 

As  a  food-fish  there  is  none  better  than  the  pompano,  either 
in  the  fresh  waters  or  in  the  seas.  This  is  practically  the 
unanimous  verdict  of  epicures  and  all  others  who  have  had  the  plea- 
sure of  eating  the  pompano,  fresh  from  the  water.  The  flesh  is 
firm  and  rich,  and  possesses  a  delicacy  of  flavour  peculiarly  pleas- 
ing to  the  palate. 

The  pompano  is  not  a  game-fish.  "It  is  mullet-mouthed 
and  never  takes  a  hook  except  by  a  mistake,"  says  Genio  Scott; 
but  Mr.  S.  C.  Clarke  says  they  have  been  known  to  bite  at  a 

3*8 


> 


O 

u 


Common  Pompano 

clam-bait,    and   Mr.    Silas   Stearns   says   they   are   sometimes    taken 
on  the  hook  about  Pensacola. 

Head  4;  depth  2\  to  2f;  eye  4^;  snout  4^-;  D.  VI-I,  25; 
A.  II-I,  23;  ventrals  2^-.  Body  oblong,  compressed,  rather  robust, 
the  greatest  thickness  3  in  depth;  snout  from  mouth  to  hori- 
zontal from  upper  edge  of  eye  nearly  vertical,  somewhat  bluntly 
rounded;  profile  from  upper  edge  of  snout  to  procumbent  spine 
evenly  convex;  mouth  nearly  horizontal,  maxillary  reaching  middle 
of  eye,  its  length  2-|-  in  head;  no  teeth  in  adult;  ventrals  reach- 
ing f  distance  to  vent,  about  \  length  of  pectoral;  dorsal  and 
anal  fins  falcate,  anterior  rays  nearly  reaching  middle  of  fins  when 
depressed;  dorsal  lobe  4^-,  anal  5^  in  body.  Colour,  bluish  above, 
silvery  or  slightly  golden  below;  pectoral  and  anal  light  orange, 
shaded  with  bluish;  caudal  and  upper  portion  of  caudal  peduncle 
with  bluish  reflections;  breast  more  or  less  yellowish;  top  of 
head  bluish. 

Trachinotus  paloma  is  an  unimportant  species,  known  only 
from  Cape  San  Lucas,  Mazatlan,  and  San  Juan  Lagoon.  It  reaches 
a  length  of  a  foot.  As  a  food-fish  it  is  not  distinguished  by 
the  Mexican  fishermen  from  other  species  of  the  genus.  It 
closely  resembles  the  common  pompano,  but  has  the  head  rather 
larger,  it  being  3^  to  3^  in  length  instead  of  4. 

Trachinotus  cayennensis  is  another  rare  species,  known  only 
from  a  single  specimen  obtained  at  Cayenne.  It  is  close  to  T. 
falcatus,  but  has  more  numerous  fin-rays,  D.  V-I,  27;  A.  II-I,  26. 

Recently  a  new  genus  and  species  of  this  family  was  de- 
scribed from  the  Revillagigedo  Islands  by  Jordan  and  McGregor 
as  Zalocys  stilbe.  The  genus  is  close  to  Trachinotus.  The  single 
specimen  known  is  16  inches  long. 


319 


THE    BLUEFISHES 

Family  XXXIX.     Pomatomidce 

THIS  family   contains   only   one   genus   and   one  species. 

Common  Bluefish 

Pomatomus   saltatrix    (Linnaeus) 

The  bluefish  is  a  species  of  very  wide  distribution.  It  occurs 
in  both  the  Atlantic  and  Indian  oceans,  and  occasionally  enters 
the  Mediterranean  Sea.  It  occurs  in  the  Malay  Archipelago,  Aus- 
tralia, at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  at  Natal,  and  about  Madagas- 
car. It  has  never  been  seen  on  the  Atlantic  Coast  of  Europe, 
nor  about  Bermuda.  On  our  coast  it  ranges  from  central  Brazil 
and  the  Guianas  through  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  north  to  Nova 
Scotia,  though  never  seen  in  the  Bay  of  Fundy.  From  Cape 
Florida  to  Penobscot  Bay,  bluefish  are  abundant  at  all  seasons 
when  the  temperature  of  the  water  is  propitious,  which  probably 
is  above  40°.  The  menhaden  seems  to  be  their  principal  food 
and  their  abundance  is  largely  dependent  upon  the  presence  of 
that  species.  The  bluefish  is  a  pelagic  or  wandering  fish,  very 
capricious  in  its  movements,  varying  in  numbers  at  particular 
localities  in  different  years,  and  sometimes  disappearing  from  cer- 
tain regions  for  many  years  at  a  time. 

The  bluefish  is  a  carnivorous  animal  of  the  most  pronounced 
type.  As  Professor  Baird  has  well  said,  there  is  no  parallel  to 
the  bluefish  in  point  of  destructiveness  to  the  marine  species  on 
our  coast.  It  has  been  likened  to  an  animated  chopping-machine 
the  business  of  which  is  to  cut  to  pieces  and  otherwise  destroy 
as  many  fish  as  possible  in  a  given  space  of  time.  Going  in 
large  schools,  in  pursuit  of  fish  not  much  inferior  to  themselves 
in  size,  they  move  along  like  a  pack  of  hungry  wolves,  destroy- 
ing everything  before  them.  Their  trail  is  marked  by  fragments 
of  fish  and  by  the  stain  of  blood  in  the  sea,  as,  when  the  fish 
is  too  large  to  be  swallowed  entire,  the  hinder  portion  will  be 
bitten  off  and  the  anterior  part  allowed  to  float  or  sink.  It  has 

320 


Common    Bluefish 

been  even  maintained  that  such  is  the  gluttony  of  this  fish,  that 
when  the  stomach  becomes  full  the  contents  are  disgorged  and 
then  again  filled!  It  is  certain  that  it  kills  more  fish  than  it 
needs  or  can  use'.  The  amount  of  food  they  consume  or  destroy 
is  incredibly  great.  It  has  been  estimated  at  twice  the  weight 
of  the  fish  in  a  day,  and  one  observer  says  that  a  bluefish  will 
destroy  daily  a  thousand  other  fish.  It  has  been  estimated  that 
there  are  annually  on  our  coast  from  New  Jersey  to  Mononomy 
a  thousand  million  bluefish  averaging  5  or  6  pounds  each  in 
weight,  and  that  these  eat  or  destroy  at  the  lowest  estimate  10 
fish  each  every  day,  or  a  total  of  ten  thousand  millions  of  fish 
destroyed  every  day.  And  as  the  bluefish  remain  on  this  coast 
at  least  120  days,  the  total  destruction  amounts  in  round  numbers 
to  twelve  hundred  million  millions  of  fish  destroyed  in  a  single 
season  by  this  species.  These  would  weigh  at  least  three  hun- 
dred thousand  million  pounds.  And  it  must  be  remembered  that 
in  this  estimate  no  account  has  been  taken  of  those  destroyed 
by  bluefish  under  3  pounds  in  weight,  vastly  more  numerous 
and  all  engaged  simultaneously  in  the  same  butchery. 

The  average  size  of  the  bluefish  caught  on  the  Florida  coast 
is  3  to  5  pounds  and.  the  maximum  about  15  pounds.  The 
sizes  on  the  North  Atlantic  Coast  run  about  the  same.  The 
largest  bluefish  of  which  we  have  any  record  weighed  22  pounds, 
and  had  a  length  of  3  feet. 

The  bluefish  is  one  of  the  best  of  food-fishes,  ranking  in 
public  estimation  next  to  the  pompano  and  Spanish  mackerel. 
It  is  a  standard  fish  in  all  the  large  markets  of  our  eastern 
states.  The  flesh  is  very  sweet  and  savoury  but  does  not  keep 
well.  In  some  places  the  bluefish  is  not  yet  held  in  high  esteem 
but  is  rapidly  growing  in  popular  favour. 

The  bluefish  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  unyielding  fishes 
that  swim.  "It  can  jump  higher  and  come  down  quicker,  dive 
deeper,  and  stay  under  longer"  than  any  other  salt-water  fish  of 
its  size,  says  Nimrod  Wildfire.  "Look  at  his  clean  build,  and  it 
is  accounted  for;  his  narrow  waist  and  depth  of  hull,  falling  off 
sharply  as  it  approaches  the  keel,  enabling  him  to  keep  well  to 
windward,  as  if  he  had  his  centre-board  always  down.  See  his 
immense  propeller  behind!  No  fish  of  his  size  is  more  wicked 
or  wild  when  hooked.  I  have  sometimes  struck  a  3-pound  blue- 
fish,  and  thought  I  had  a  6-pound  weakfish,  until  he  commenced 

321 


Common     Bluefish 

jumping,  and  after  giving  him  considerable  play,  have  at  last 
drawn  him  in  by  sheer  force,  with  his  pluck  not  the  least 
abated."  Thaddeus  Norris  describes  the  method  of  "squidding 
for  bluefish,"  which  he  says  is  the  usual  way  of  taking  this  fish. 
The  squid  is  generally  a  white  bone  with  a  hook  at  the  end,  or 
a  piece  of  pewter.  The  line  is  of  strong  hemp  or  cotton.  With 
a  good  breeze  when  crossing  a  school  of  these  fish,  the  sport 
is  highly  exciting,  and  great  numbers  are  sometimes  taken.  We 
have  taken  the  bluefish  in  Indian  River  by  trolling  with  a  large 
Skinner  fluted  spoon,  and  found  the  sport  the  most  exciting  we 
have  ever  had  with  any  of  the  fishes  of  that  river. 


322 


THE   SERGEANT-FISHES 

Family  XL.     Rachycentridce 

THE  characters  of  this  family  are  sufficiently  shown  in   the  ac- 
companying illustration   of  the  sergeant-fish,  Rachycentron  canadus. 


This  fish  is  an  inhabitant  of  warm  seas,  ranging  in  summer 
as  far  north  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  as  Cape  Cod.  It  is  not  un- 
common from  the  Chesapeake  Bay  southward.  It  is  known  as 
sergeant-fish,  crab-eater,  coal-fish  and  cobia,  and  it  reaches  a 
length  of  4  or  5  feet,  and  it  is  edible. 


323 


THE   DOLPHINS 

Family  XLI.     Coryphcznida 

THIS  family  contains  but  one  genus  with  2  species,  found  in 
mid-ocean,  where  they  feed  upon  other  pelagic  fishes,  such  as 
the  flying-fish.  They  are  strong,  rapid  swimmers,  and  are 
widely  distributed  throughout  all  tropical  and  temperate  waters. 
They  are  often  caught  by  sailors  at  sea,  and  are  considered  ex- 
cellent food. 

It  is  the  custom  before  eating  them  to  test  the  flesh  by 
putting  a  piece  of  silver  into  the  vessel  in  which  they  have 
been  cooked,  it  being  a  common  belief  that  if  the  flesh  is 
poisonous  the  silver  will  turn  black.  Narratives  of  ocean  voyages 
abound  in  descriptions  of  the  beautiful  colours  of  the  dolphin,  and 
the  brilliant  changes  of  hue  exhibited  by  the  dying  fish.  The 
name  dolphin  is  wrongly  applied  to  these  fish,  as  it  belongs 
properly  to  a  group  of  small  cetaceans. 

The  single  genus,  Coryphcena,  contains  2   species,    C.  hippurus 


and  C.  equisetis.  The  common  dolphin,  C.  hippurus,  reaches  a 
length  of  6  feet.  It  is  a  pelagic  fish,  common  on  our  coast 
from  the  Carolinas  to  Texas,  and  occasionally  north  to  Cape  Cod. 

Colour,  brilliant  in  life,  the  head,  body  and  tail  greenish- 
olive,  changing  suddenly  at  death;  brownish-olive  above,  white 
or  golden  below,  with  a  series  of  about  i  5  bright-blue  spots  on 
oack  along  each  side  of  dorsal,  the  largest  on  back  and  head, 

324 


The  Dolphins 

forming   bands  on  snout;  dorsal   purplish   blue,  with   paler  oblique 
lines;  other  fins  tinged   with   blue;    caudal   yellow. 

The  small  dolphin,  C.  equisetis,  reaches  a  length  of  only 
about  2$-  feet.  It  is  found  in  the  open  Atlantic.  It  is  rare  in 
the  West  Indies,  and  has  not  been  recorded  from  the  coast  of 
the  United  States. 

Colour,  sea-green,  silvery  below,  with  scattered  black  spots 
on  the  sides  and  back;  a  series  of  distant  rounded  spots  along 
base  of  dorsal  fin;  head  with  brown  stripes. 


THE    MARIPOSAS 

Family  XLII.     Lamprida 

BODY  ovate,  compressed,  and  elevated,  covered  with  minute, 
cycloid  scales;  head  small,  rather  pointed;  mouth  small,  terminal; 
no  teeth  in  adult;  premaxillaries  protractile;  only  one  dorsal  fin, 
very  long,  elevated,  falcate  in  front,  no  spines;  anal  low,  not  fal- 
cate; both  fins  depressible  in  a  groove;  pectoral  fins  large,  falcate; 
a  pit  at  base  of  caudal  above  and  below,  as  in  certain  sharks. 

Fishes  of  large  size  and  gorgeous  colouration,  inhabiting 
the  open  sea;  highly  valued  as  food,  the  flesh  firm  and  rich. 

The  single  known  species  is  the  opah,  mariposa  or  moon- 
fish,  Lampris  luna.  This  interesting  fish  is  found  in  the  open 
waters  of  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific.  It  is  frequently  taken  on  the 
coast  of  Europe  and  about  Madeira,  and  is  occasionally  taken  off 
the  coasts  of  Newfoundland,  Maine,  and  Cuba.  It  has  also 
been  taken  at  Monterey  and  other  places  on  the  California  coast. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  3  to  6  feet  and  a  weight  of  50  to  400 
pounds.  It  is  called  San  Pedro-fish,  cravo,  soho,  Jerusalem  had- 
dock, glance-fish,  gudlax,  and  poisson  lune,  in  addition  to  the 
names  given  above.  It  is  one  of  the  choicest  food-fishes,  the 
flesh  being  firm,  rich  and  of  delicious  flavour. 

It  is  a  fish  of  most  gorgeous  colouration.  "Just  imagine  the 
body  a  beautiful  silver,"  wrote  the  artist,  James  Farquhar,  half  a 
century  ago,  "interspersed  with  spots  of  a  lighter  colour,  about 
the  size  of  a  sixpence,  the  eyes  very  large  and  brilliant,  with 
a  golden  ring  around  them;  you  will  then  have  some  idea  of 
the  splendid  appearance  of  the  fish  when  fresh.  If  Caligula  had 
seen  him  I  might  have  realized  a  fortune."  The  colour  in  life, 
as  seen  by  us,  is  a  rich  brocade  of  silver  and  lilac,  rosy  under- 
neath; everywhere  with  round  silvery  spots;  head,  opercles  and 
back  with  ultramarine  tints;  jaws  and  fins  vermileion;  flesh  red 
of  varying  shades. 


326 


Family  XLIII.    Bramida 

BODY  oblong,  more  or  less  elevated,  strongly  compressed, 
covered  with  firm,  adherent  cycloid,  lobate,  or  emarginate  scales, 
or  with  a  median  ridge  or  spine;  mouth  very  oblique,  maxillary 
broad  and  scaly;,  premaxillaries  protractile;  jaws  with  bands  of 
slender  teeth;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  similar,  long,  each  with  3  or 
4  anterior  rays  simple,  developed  as  spines;  soft  dorsal  and  anal 
scaly  or  with  a  sheath  of  scales. 

Fishes  of  the  open  sea,  widely  distributed  and  often  inhabit- 
ing considerable  depths-,  and  varying  greatly  with  age. 

The  single  genus  in  our  waters  (Brama)  contains  3  species 
in  our  limits,  only  one  of  which  is  of  food-value.  This  is  the 
pomfret,  Brama  rail.  This  species  is  of  considerable  importance 
as  a  food-fish.  It  occurs  in  the  open  seas  and  is  widely  dis- 
tributed. It  descends  to  considerable  depths.  It  is  rare  on  our 
Atlantic  Coast  but  it  is  not  uncommon  on  the  coast  of  Califor- 
nia and  north  to  Puget  Sound  where  it  is  regarded  as  an  ex- 
cellent food-fish.  It  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  4  feet. 

Colour,  sooty-gray,  with  some  soiled  silvery  on  snout;  vertical 
fins  and  anal  region  black,  edges  of  dorsal  and  anal  darker; 
axil  jet  black  within. 


327 


THE    F1ATOLAS 

Family  XLIV.     Stromateidce 

BODY  compressed,  more  or 'less  elevated,  covered  with  small  or 
minute  cycloid  scales;  anterior  profile  blunt  and  rounded;  mouth 
small;  premaxillaries  not  protractile;  dentition  feeble,  no  teeth  on 
vomer  or  palatines;  ossophagus  armed  with  numerous  horny,  barbed, 
or  hooked  teeth;  opercular  bones  smooth,  not  serrate;  cheeks  scaly; 
lateral  line  well  developed;  dorsal  fin  single,  long,  with  the  spines 
few  or  weak,  often  obsolete;  anal  fin  long,  similar  to  soft  dorsal, 
usually  with  3  small  spines  which  are  often  depressible  in  a  fold  oi 
skin;  ventrals  thoracic,  I,  5  in  young,  but  reduced  or  altogether 
wanting  in  adult;  caudal  well  forked. 

About  10  genera  and  50  species.  Fishes  usually  of  small 
size,  found  in  most  warm  seas,  many  of  them  valued  as  food. 
The  following  are  the  only  genera  common  in  America: 

a.  Dorsal    and    anal    fins    very    high    in    front,  the    anterior  lobe 

falcate ; Peprilus,  328 

aa.    Dorsal   and   anal  fins   only   moderately   elevated    in    front,    the 
anterior  lobe  scarcely  falcate. 

b.  Side   of  back  without   conspicuous  series  of  pores  abovs  lateral 

line ; Palometa,  329 

bb.   Side  of  back  with  a  conspicuous  series  of  large,  wide-set  pores 
above  lateral  line ; Poronotus,  330 


GENUS  PEPRILUS  CUJ/IER 
The  Butter-fishes 

Body  ovate  or  suborbicular,  strongly  compressed,  tapering  into 
a  slender  caudal  peduncle,  which  has  no  keel  or  shield;  head  short, 
compressed,  the  profile  obtuse;  mouth  small,  terminal,  the  jaws 
subequal;  gill- membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  usually  i 
or  more  procumbent  spines  in  front  of  dorsal  and  anal,  each  with 
a  free  point  both  anteriorly  and  posteriorly;  pectoral  long  and  narrow; 
caudal  widely  forked. 


Harvest-fish 


Harvest-fish 

Peprilus  paru  (Linnaeus) 

This  delicious  little  fish  has  been  found  from  Cape  Cod  to  Brazil, 
but  it  is  not  abundant  anywhere  except  about  the  mouth  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay.  At  Norfolk,  where  it  is  called  whiting,  it  is  a  fish  of  con- 
siderable commercial  importance,  and  it  is  one  of  the  most  common 
pan-fishes  one  sees  hawked  about  the  streets  of  Baltimore,  Washing- 
ton and  other  middle  Atlantic  cities.  It  reaches  a  length  of  6  inches. 
One  interesting  fact  in  the  life  history  of  the  fish  is  its  habit  of 
swimming  beneath  the  Portuguese  man-of-war. 

The  genus  Palometa  is  distinguished  from  Peprilus  only  by  the 
lower  fins.  The  3  known  species  are  each  of  rare  occurrence.  The 
first,  P.  palometa,  reaches  a  length  of  3  inches  and  occurs  in  the 
Pacific  off  Columbia.  Another  species,  P.  media,  is  known  only 
from  Mazatlan.  The  third  species,  P.  simillima,  the  "California  Pom- 
pano,"  occurs  on  our  Pacific  Coast  from  Puget  Sound  to  San  Diego. 
During  summer  it  is  abundant,  especially  about  Santa  Cruz,  and  is  a 

329 


Butterfish;   Dollarfish 

highly  prized  food-fish,  the  flesh  being  rich  and  delicate.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  10  inches.  Colour,  bluish  above,  bright  silvery  below;  fins 
punctulate;  anterior  lobes  of  dorsal  and  anal  dusky-edged. 


GENUS  PORONOTUS  GILL 

This  genus   differs  from   'Palometa  only   in    the    presence    of   a 
series  of  conspicuous,  wide-set  pores  above  the  lateral  line. 

There  is  but  a  single,  species  in  our  waters. 


Butterfish;    Dollarfish 

Poronotus  triacantJius  (Peck) 

This  is  the  butterfish  of  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  and  New 
York,  the  harvestfish  of  New  Jersey,  the  dollarfish  of  Maine, 
the  sheepshead  of  Cape  Cod,  the  pumpkinseed  of  Connecticut, 
and  the  starfish  of  Norfork.  It  occurs  from  Maine  to  South  Carolina, 
and  is  generally  common  between  Cape  Cod  and  Cape  Henry. 
It  is  a  summer  visitor,  appearing  and  disappearing  with  the  mackerel. 
It  breeds  in  early  summer  and  the  young  are  abundant  in  July, 
August,  and  September,  swimming  about,  like  the  harvestfish, 
with  various  jelly-fishes.  During  the  summer  certain  species  of 
large  jelly-fishes,  called  sun-squalls,  are  found  abundantly  on  our 

330 


Butterfish  ;    Dollarfish 

Middle  Atlantic  Coast  in  waters  near  shore,  and  each  one  is  almost 
invariably  accompanied  by  10  or  12  or  even  more  young  butterfish, 
seeming  to  seek  shelter  under  their  disks,  and  perhaps  obtaining  a 
supply  of  food  from  among  the  numerous  soft  bodied  invertebrates 
that  are  constantly  becoming  entangled  with  the  floating  streamers 
of  their  protectors.  This  position  is  not  always  safe  for  the  little 
fish,  as  they  are  sometimes  destroyed  by  the  tentacles  of  their 
protector  which  are  provided  with  powerful  sting  or  lasso-cells. 
Though  the  fish  are,  by  this  commensal  arrangement,  safe  from  the 
attacks  of  larger  fish,  they  often  fall  victims  to  the  stinging  power  of 
the  jelly-fish  and  are  devoured. 


THE 
BASSES,    CRAPPIES    AND    SUNFISHES. 

Family  XL  V.     CentrarcJiida 

BODY  more  or  less  shortened  and  compressed,  the  regions 
above  and  below  the  axis  of  the  body  nearly  equally  developed 
and  corresponding  to  each  other;  head  compressed;  mouth  ter- 
minal, large  or  small;  teeth  in  villiform  bands,  the  outer  slightly 
enlarged,  no  canines;  teeth  present  on  the  premaxillaries,  lower 
jaw,  vomer,  usually  on  the  palatines,  and  sometimes  on  the 
tongue,  pterygoids  and  hyoid;  premaxillaries  protractile;  maxillary 
with  a  supplemental  bone  in  the  large-mouthed  species,  some- 
times minute  or  obsolete;  preopercle  entire  or  somewhat  serrate; 
opercle  ending  in  2  flat  points  or  prolonged  in  a  black  flap  at 
the  angle;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  last;  pseudobranchiae  small; 
gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  branchiostegals  6, 
rarely  7;  gillrakers  variously  formed,  armed  with  small  teeth; 
lower  pharyngeal  bones  separate,  their  teeth  conic  or  sometimes 
paved;  cheek  and  opercles  scaly;  body  fully  scaled,  the  scales 
usually  not  strongly  ctenoid,  rarely  cycloid;  lateral  line  present, 
usually  complete;  dorsal  fins  confluent,  the  spines  6  to  13,  de- 
pressible  in  a  shallow  groove;  anal  spines  3  to  9;  intestine  short; 
pyloric  coeca  5  to  10.  Colour,  usually  brilliant,  chiefly  greenish; 
sexes  similar;  changes  with  age  often  great. 

This  is  a  family  of  North  American  freshwater  fishes,  with 
about  12  genera  and  30  species,  forming  one  of  the  most  charac- 
teristic features  of  our  fish-fauna.  Most  of  the  species  build  nests, 
which  they  defend  with  much  courage.  They  all  breed  in  the 
spring,  and  are  all  valued  as  food,  their  importance  being  in 
direct  proportion  to  the  size  which  they  attain.  All  are  carniv- 
orous, voracious  and  gamy,  "some  of  them  being  among  the 
greatest  of  all  game-fishes. 

a.  Dorsal  fin   scarcely   longer  than   the   anal. 

b.  Dorsal    spines    5    to   8;    anal    spines  6;   spinous   dorsal   shorter 

than   soft   dorsal;  body  rather  short   and  greatly  compressed; 

Pomoxis,  333 

bb.  Dorsal    spines   1 1  or    12;    anal    spines  7   or  8;    spinous    dorsal 
longer   than   soft   dorsal;    body  short,    deep  and  compressed; 

Centrarchus,  337 
aa.  Dorsal   much  longer  than   the   anal. 

332 


Crappie  and  Calico  Bass 

c.  Body    comparatively    short    and   deep,    the   depth    usually    more 

than  |  the   length;  dorsal   fin   not   deeply   emarginate. 

d.  Tongue     and     pterygoids    with    teeth;    mouth    large,    maxillary 

reaching  past   middle  of  eye. 

e.  Scales  cycloid;  caudal  convex; Acantharchus,   338 

ee.  Scales  ctenoid;  caudal  concave. 

f.  Opercle    emarginate   behind;  anal   spines  5  to  8. 

g.  Lingual   teeth   in   a  single   patch;  gillrakers  about    10; 

Ambloplites,  338 

gg.  Lingual  teeth   in   2  patches;  gillrakers  about  20; 

Archoplites,  341 
ff.  Opercle   ending  in   a  black   convex  process   or  flap;  anal  spines 

^  I Chatnobryttus,  342 

dd.  Tongue   and  pterygoids   toothless;  mouth  small,    the   maxillary 
barely  reaching  past   middle   of  eye. 

h.  Supplemental  maxillary  bone  perfectly  distinct; Apomotis,  342 

hh.  Supplemental   maxillary   bone   rudimentary  or   wanting. 
/.  Lower    pharyngeals   narrow,  the  teeth   usually    sharp,    not  coni- 
cal;   Lepomis,  344 

ii.  Lower    pharyngeal   bones   broad   and   concave,    especially  in  the 

adult;   teeth   more   or   less   blunt   or   paved ;.. Eupomotis,  350 

cc.  Body   comparatively   elongate,    the  depth   in   the   adult   about  \ 

the   length;  dorsal  fin   low,   deeply   emarginate; 

Micropterus,  355 


GENUS  POMOXIS  RAFINESQUE 
Crappie  and  Calico   Bass 

Body  rather  short  and  greatly  compressed;  snout  projecting; 
mouth  large,  oblique;  maxillary  broad,  with  a  well-developed  sup- 
plemental bone;  gillrakers  long  and  slender;  opercle  emarginate; 
preopercle  and  preorbital  finely  serrate;  scales  large,  feebly  ctenoid; 
fins  large,  the  anal  larger  than  dorsal;  caudal  emarginate;  bran- 
chiostegals  7;  lateral  line  complete. 

a.    Dorsal   spines  6,    rarely   5;   anal   fin    plain; annularis,    334 

aa.    Dorsal   spines   7,    rarely   8;   anal   fin   strongly   reticulated; 

sparoides,    335 


333 


The    Crappie 


Crappie 

Pomoxis  annularis  Rafinesque 

The  crappie  is  found  from  Vermont  and  New  York  west- 
ward through  the  Great  Lakes  region  and  Mississippi  Valley  to  the 
Dakotas  and  south  to  Texas.  It  is  therefore  a  fish  of  wide  distri- 
bution and  has,  in  consequence,  received  many  vernacular  names. 
It  is  called  bachelor  in  the  Ohio  Valley,  campbellite,  croppie,  and 
new-light  in  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  Kentucky;  tin-mouth  or  paper- 
mouth  in  northern  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  sac-a-lait,  and  chin- 
quapin perch  in  the  lower  Mississippi  and  Texas.  In  other  places 
it  is  known  as  bridge  perch,  goggle-eye,  speckled  perch,  shad,  and 
John  Demon,  the  last  name  being  heard  in  northeastern  Indiana. 
The  crappie  and  the  calico  bass  are  confounded  by  most  anglers  and 
fishermen,  and  many  of  the  vernacular  names  are,  in  consequence, 
interchangeable.  Where  only  one  species  is  found  it  is  quite  apt 
to  be  known  as  the  crappie.  The  crappie  is  found  from  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  the  Great  Lakes  south  to  Texas  and  west  to 
the  Dakotas  and  Kansas.  It  is  generally  abundant  in  ponds, 
lagoons,  bayous  and  all  sluggish  waters,  but  is  much  more  com- 
mon in  the  southern  portions  of  its  range.  In  the  lower  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  the  young  of  this  species  literally  swarm  in  the 
overflow  ponds  and  bayous  and  vast  numbers  perish  every. year 
when  these  waters  dry  up,  as  many  of  them  do. 

334 


Calico  Bass 

The  crappie  reaches  a  length  of  about  a  foot  and,  when 
found  in  water  that  is  not  too  warm  or  too  muddy,  is  regarded 
as  an  excellent  pan-fish.  As  it  is  usually  found,  however,  in 
muddy  water,  its  flavour  is  not  devoid  of  the  taste  of  its  en- 
vironment and  the  species  is  by  many  not  regarded  with  very 
high  favour  as  a  food-fish. 

As  a  game-fish  it  is  held  in  high  esteem  in  the  South  and 
at  least  as  far  north  as  Washington.  Among  Louisiana  anglers 
this  fish  is  said  to  be  a  great  favourite.  It  will  take  a  minnow 
bait  as  promptly  as  will  a  black  bass,  but  is  not  very  pugna- 
cious, and  will  not  make  much  of  a  fight;  besides,  the  mouth  is 
very  tender  and  the  hook  is  quite  apt  to  tear  out  unless  the 
fish  is  handled  with  considerable  skill.  This  fact,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  expert  angler,  more  highly  commends  the  crappie  as  it 
requires  greater  skill  in  handling  the  tackle. 

The  range  of  the  crappie  has  been  considerably  extended 
through  the  operations  of  the  United  States  Fish  Commission. 
Large  numbers  are  reclaimed  every  year  from  the  overflow  ponds 
along  the  Mississippi  and  transplanted  into  various  waters. 

Colour,  silvery-olive,  mottled  with  dark  green,  the  dark  mark- 
ings chiefly  on  the  upper  part  of  the  body  and  having  a  tendency 
to  form  narrow  vertical  bars;  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  marked  with 
green;  anal  fin  pale,  nearly  plain;  fins  very  high,  but  lower  than 
in  the  calico  bass. 

Calico  Bass 

Pomoxis   sparoides    (Lace"pede) 

The  calico  bass  is  found  throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region 
and  south  to  New  Jersey  and  Texas.  Among  the  Great  Lakes 
and  throughout  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  it  is  an  abundant 
and  well-known  species.  Like  its  congener,  the  crappie,  it  pre- 
fers the  lakes,  ponds,  bayous  and  sluggish  lowland  streams.  The 
2  species  have  essentially  the  same  geographic  range,  the  calico 
bass,  however,  being  the  more  common  species  northward  while 
the  crappie  is  the  more  abundant  in  the  south. 

In  the  lagoons  about  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  as  well  as  in  the  small 
lakes  of  Michigan  and  northern  Indiana  it  is  abundant.  It  is  also 
very  abundant  in  the  ponds  and  bayous  in  Illinois  and  large 

•535 


Calico  Bass 

numbers  are  every  year  transplanted  from  the  ponds  about  Mere- 
dosia  by  the  United  States  Fish  Commission. 

Grass  bass,  barfish,  strawberry  bass,  bitterhead,  banklick  bass, 
and  lamplighter  are  names  which  have  been  applied  to  this  fish; 
in  fact,  all  the  names  of  the  crappie  have  been  applied  to  this 
species,  but  the  names  in  most  general  use  are  calico  bass  and 
strawberry  bass. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot  or  more.  In  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
we  have  seen  specimens  14  inches  long  and  weighing  a  pound. 
The  usual  size,  however,  does  not  exceed  10  or  12  inches  and  a 
weight  of  half  a  pound.  As  a  food  and  game-fish  the  calico 
bass  does  not  differ  appreciably  from  the  crappie.  Their  habits 
are  essentially  the  same,  both  preferring  the  quiet  waters  of 
bayous,  ponds  and  lakes,  though  this  species  is  more  often  seen 
in  clearer,  colder  waters. 

At  Cedar  and  Maxinkuckee  lakes,  in  northern  Indiana,  the 
calico  bass  affords  much  sport  to  the  angler.  They  bite  best  in 
the  early  spring,  in  June,  and  again  late  in  the  fall.  They  may 
be  taken  still-fishing  with  grasshoppers,  worms  or  live  minnows, 
or  by  trolling  with  live  minnow  or  spoon.  They  will  at  times 
rise  to  the  artificial  fly  and  we  have  seen  some  fine  catches 
made  in  that  way.  Trolling  is  a  favourite  mode  of  fishing  for 
this  species  and  the  crappie  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  They  take 
the  lure  with  a  rush  and  vim  which  promises  a  more  exciting 
fight  than  really  develops,  for  they  soon  give  up  completely  and 
are  lifted  into  the  boat  without  a  struggle.  At  Cedar  Lake  they 
are  fished  for  from  flat-bottomed  skiffs  and  from  sail-boats,  with 
bait  of  minnows,  worms  or  pieces  of  fish.  When  fishing  from 
a  sail-boat  the  angler  uses  two  lines  with  spoon-baits  or  "whirl," 
by  means  of  which  large  catches  are  made. 

Colour,  silyery-olive,  mottled  with  clear  olive-green,  the  dark 
mottlings  gathered  in  small  irregular  bunches  and  covering  the 
whole  body;  vertical  fins  with  dark  olive  reticulations  surround- 
ing pale  spots;  anal  marked  like  the  dorsal;  a  dusky  opercular 
spot.  The  calico  bass  and  the  crappie  resemble  each  other  closely, 
but  are  perfectly  distinct  and  well-marked  species.  The  easiest 
way  to  distinguish  them  is  by  means  of  the  dorsal  spines,  the 
crappie  having  only  5  or  6,  while  the  calico  bass  always  has  7  or  8. 
The  different  colouration,  particularly  of  the  anal  fin,  and  the 
difference  in  the  anterior  profile  are  also  constant  and  important 
differential  characters. 

336 


GENUS    CENTRARCHUS    CUVIER 

CIENNES 


VALEN- 


This genus  contains  but  one  species,  C.  macropterus,  the  flier  of 
round  sun-fish. 


This  interesting  little  sunfish  reaches  a  length  of  5  or  6  inches. 
It  inhabits  lowland  streams,  ponds  and  bayous  from  Virginia  southward 
near  the  coast  to  Florida  and  Louisiana,  and  northward  sparingly  in 
the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Southern  Illinois.  In  the  Dismal  Swamp 
region  and  elsewhere  in  clear  water  it  is  abundant.  It  is  a  hand- 
some little  fish,  and  in  some  places  affords  considerable  sport  to 
local  fishermen.  It  posses  considerable  gameness  and  takes  the  hook 
baited  with  angleworm  or  small  cockroach  with  an  avidity  which 
doubtless  gave  rise  to  the  name  "  Flier,"  by  which  it  is  most 
generally  known. 

Colour,  green  or  greenish,  with  series  of  dark  brown  spots 
on  side  below  lateral  line,  forming  interrupted,  longitudinal  lines; 
a  dark  spot  below  eye;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  reticulated;  young  with  a 
black  ocellus  at  base  of  soft  dorsal. 


337 


GENUS  ACANTHARCHUS  GILL 

This  is  another  genus  containing  but  a  single  species,  the  mud 
sunfish,  A.  pomolis. 


This  is  another  of  the  small  sunfishes  found  in  the  lowland  streams 
and  sluggish  waters  of  the  Middle  Atlantic  Coast.  It  occurs  from 
southern  New  York  near  the  coast  to  South  Carolina;  it  is  locally 
common,  especially  in  the  lower  Delaware.  It  attains  a  length 
of  about  6  inches  and  is  used  to  some  extent  as  a  panfish.  It 
is  inferior  in  every  way  to  the  flier. 

Colour,  very  dark  greenish;  body  usually  with  5  rather  in- 
distinct blackish  longitudinal  bands  along  side;  cheek  with  dark 
bands  which  run  nearly  parallel,  the  lowest  passing  across  the 
maxillary  around  the  front  part  of  the  lower  jaw;  a  black  opercular 
spot;  fins  plain  dusky. 


GENUS  AMBLOPLITES  RAFINESQUE 
The  Rock   Basses 

This   genus   is   characterized  by  having  the  body   oblong,  mo- 
derately  compressed;    mouth   large,    maxillary    broad,    the    supple. 

338 


CALICO  BASS,  Pomoxis  sparoides 


ROCK  BASS,  Ambloplites  rupestris 


Rock  Bass  ;   Redeye ;    Goggle-eye 

mental  bone  well  developed;  lower  jaw  projecting;  teeth  on 
vomer,  palatines,  and  tongue;  those  on  tongue  in  a  single  patch; 
pharyngeal  teeth  sharp;  branchiostegals  6;  opercle  ending  in  2  flat 
points;  preopercle  serrate  at  its  angle;  gillrakers  rather  long  and 
strong,  dentate,  fewer  than  10  in  number,  developed  only  on 
the  lower  portion  of  the  arch;  scales  large,  somewhat  ctenoid; 
lateral  line  complete;  dorsal  fin  much  larger  than  the  anal,  spines 
rather  low;  caudal  emarginate. 

Rock   Bass  ;   Redeye  ;  Goggle-eye 

Ambloplites  rupestris   (Rafinesque) 

The  common  rock  bass  is  one  of  our  most  familiar  panfishes. 
It  is  found  from  Vermont  and  New  York  westward  to  Manitoba 
and  south  to  Louisiana  and  Texas.  In  the  upper  Mississippi 
Valley  and  in  the  Great  Lakes  it  is  very  abundant,  and  is  found 
in  practically  every  lake,  pond  and  stream.  It  is  found  not 
only  in  the  rivers,  but  also  in  the  creeks  and  smaller  streams. 
It  prefers  clear,  cool  water,  and  is  therefore  least  abundant  in 
bayous  and  shallow,  muddy  lakes.  In  the  lakes  it  will  be  found 
about  patches  of  potamogeton  or  other  aquatic  vegetation.  In 
the  streams  it  most  delights  to  dwell  in  the  quiet  water  of  deep 
holes  where  there  are  large  boulders  among  which  some  water- 
plants  are  growing,  or  about  old  stumps  or  logs  where  the  water 
is  3  to  6  or  8  feet  deep. 

The  rock  bass  reaches  the  length  of  12  inches  and  a  weight 
of  i  to  i \  pounds,  though  it  does  not  usually  attain  this  size. 
The  average  weight  probably  does  not  exceed  \  pound.  It 
spawns  in  the  spring,  when  it  constructs  a  nest  on  a  gravel 
bed  where  the  water  is  moderately  swift,  or  on  a  bar,  if  in  a 
lake.  The  parent  fish  defend  the  nest  with  much  vigour.  This 
species  is  pre-eminently  a  boy's  fish,  though  it  is  by  no  means 
despised  by  anglers  of  maturer  years,  and  in  the  Great  Lakes 
region  and  upper  Mississippi  Valley  it  is  one  of  the  better  fishes 
often  seen  on  the  small  boy's  string. 

As  a  game-fish  it  is  rather  disappointing.  It  takes  the  hook 
with  vim  and  energy  and  begins  a  most  vigorous  fight  which, 
however,  it  usually  fails  to  keep  up.  It  can  usually  be  caught 
at  any  season  and  at  any  time  of  day;  good  fishing  may 
be  had  even  at  night.  Any  kind  of  bait  may  be  used,  but 

339 


Rock  Bass ;   Redeye  ;   Goggle-eye 

small  minnows,  white  grubs,  and  angleworms  are  best.  It  will 
take  the  trolling  spoon  quite  readily  and  the  spinner  and  the 
bucktail  also  are  successful  lures.  Minnows  may  be  used  either 
in  still-fishing  or  in  trolling.  During  the  summer  grasshoppers  are 
a  good  bait,  and  pieces  of  freshwater  mussel  or  yellow  perch 
are  excellent.  In  the  fall  still-fishing  with  small  minnows  usually 
meets  with  success.  Casting  with  the  artificial  fly  is  not  a  com- 
mon method  for  catching  the  rock  bass,  yet  we  have  had  many 
good  rises  and  have  taken  some  fine  examples  in  that  way;  we 
have  also  taken  it  on  the  artificial  frog.  Small  crawfish  also  are 
a  tempting  bait. 

As  already  stated,  they  are  pretty  gamy  when  first  hooked, 
and  make  quite  a  fight  at  times,  especially  at  first,  and  again 
when  brought  alongside  the  boat. 

As  a  pan-fish  the  rock  bass  is  not  equal  to  the  bluegill. 
Its  flesh  is  softer  and  less  flaky,  and  is  apt  to  have  a  muddy 
taste  unless  the  fish  comes  from  rather  cool,  clear  water.  We 
are  inclined  to  think  that  those  from  streams  are  of  better  flavour 
than  the  ones  taken  from  lakes. 

The  rock  bass  has  been  handled  to  some  extent  by  the 
United  States  Fish  Commission,  through  whose  operations  it  has 
been  introduced  into  waters  which  it  did  not  previously  inhabit. 

Head  2f ;  depth  2  to  2\\  eye  3^  to  4^;  snout  4;  maxillary 
2\\  D.  XI,  10;  A.  VI,  10;  scales  about  6-39-12,  6  to  8  rows  on 
cheek;  cceca  7;  vertebrae  14+18;  gillrakers  7  to  10.  Body  ob- 
long, moderately  compressed,  head  large;  profile  in  adult  some- 
what depressed  above  the  eyes;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary 
reaching  middle  of  pupil;  gillrakers  developed  only  on  lower 
part  of  arch;  preopercle  serrate  near  its  angle.  Colour,  olive 
green,  conspicuously  tinged  with  brassy,  and  with  much  dark 
mottling;  the  young  irregularly  barred  and  blotched  with  black, 
and  with  very  little  brassy;  the  adult  with  a  dark  spot  on  each 
scale,  these  forming  interrupted  black  stripes;  a  black  opercular 
spot;  dark  mottlings  on  the  soft  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal;  eye 
more  or  less  red. 

In  the  Roanoke  River  of  Virginia  is  found  a  rock  bass  closely 
resembling  the  common  rock  bass.  It  seems  to  differ  only  in 
having  the  scales  on  the  cheek  minute  and  imbedded  and  wholly 
invisible  over  most  of  the  cheek,  and  in  having  the  profile  over 

34° 


The   Sacramento  Perch 


the  eyes  more  concave.      No  other  differences   have  been   noted, 
and  the  species   are  probably   not   distinct. 

The    habits    of   the    Roanoke    rock    bass   do  not  differ  from 
those  of  the  common  species. 


GENUS  ARCHOPLITES  GILL 

This  genus  contains  a  single  species,  the  Sacramento  perch, 
A.  interruptus,  the  only  species  of  the  family  found  on  our 
Pacific  Coast. 


It  inhabits  the  Sacramento  and  the  San  Joaquin  rivers,  and  their 
tributary  streams  and  lakes,  and  has  been  abundant  throughout 
its  range.  It  is  said,  however,  probably  without  reason,  that  it  is 
being  exterminated  by  the  carp  and  catfish,  which  infest  its 
spawning  grounds.  This  species  reaches  a  length  of  i  to  2  feet, 
and  is  regarded  as  an  excellent  food-fish.  We  know  nothing 
as  to  its  game  qualities. 

Colour,  blackish  above,  side  silvery,  with  about  7  vertica^ 
blackish  bars,  irregular  in  form  and  position,  and  more  or  less 
interrupted;  body  sometimes  almost  wholly  black,  sometimes 
brassy;  a  black  opercular  spot;  fins  nearly  plain. 


341 


GENUS  CH/ENOBRYTTUS  GILL 

This  genus  has  the  general  form  and  dentition  of  Amblo- 
plites,  with  the  convex  opercle,  10  dorsal  and  3  anal  spines  of 
Lepomis. 

The  single  species  is  the  warmouth,  mud  sunfish,  or  Indian 
fish,  C.  gulosus.  The  warmouth  is  found  in  the  eastern  United 
States  from  the  Great  Lakes  south  to  Georgia  and  Texas  and 
west  to  Iowa  and  Kansas,  chiefly  west  of  the  Alleghanies.  It 
is  another  of  those  sunfishes  which  prefer  the  bayous,  sluggish 
lowland  streams,  and  shallow,  mud-bottomed  ponds  and  lakes. 
It  is  abundant  in  the  more  shallow  lakes  in  Indiana,  Michigan 
and  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  ponds  and  bayous  of  the  South. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  about  10  inches  and  is  not  a  food  or 
game-fish  of  much  importance.  At  times  it  will  take  the  hook 
pretty  freely  and  will  fight  fairly  well,  somewhat  after  the  manner 
of  the  rock  bass.  It  will  take  a  live  minnow,  angleworm,  white 
grub,  grasshopper  or  piece  of  clam  or  fish.  On  account  of  its 
usually  inhabiting  water  with  muddy  bottom  its  flesh  is  apt  to 
taste  of  the  mud. 

Body  shaped  much  like  that  of  the  rock  bass;  head  and 
mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  posterior  line  of  eye;  dorsal  spines 
low,  the  longest  equal  to  distance  from  tip  of  snout  to  middle  of 
eye;  pectoral 'not  nearly  reaching  anal  fin;  ventrals  barely  reach- 
ing vent.  Colour,  dark  olive-green,  or  sometimes  rich  brick-red 
and  brassy,  clouded  with  darker,  usually  with  red,  blue  and 
brassy;  a  dusky  spot  on  each  scale;  ventral  fins  mottled  with 
dusky;  a  faint  spot  on  last  rays  of  dorsal  bordered  by  paler;  3 
oblique  dusky  or  reddish  bars  radiating  from  eye;  belly  yellowish 
or  brassy. 


GENUS  APOMOTIS  RAFINESQUE 

This  genus  is  very  close  to  Lepomis,  from  which  it  differs 
only  in  the  development  of  the  supplemental  maxillary  bone 
which  is  rudimentary  or  wanting  in  Lepomis;  the  mouth  is 
larger  in  Apomotis,  the  lower  pharyngeals  narrow,  with  acute 

342 


The  Blue-Spotted  Sunfish 

teeth;  gillrakers   well  developed,   long  and  stiff;   pectoral  bluntish, 
shorter  than  head;  scales  moderate,  33  to  50. 

This  genus  contains  5  known  species  widely  distributed  in 
American  waters. 

The  only  one  of  these  species  of  Apomotis  which  attains 
sufficient  size  or  that  is  sufficiently  abundant  to  be  of  any  value 
as  a  food  or  game-fish,  is  Apomotis  cyanellus,  the  blue-spotted 
sunfish  or  green  sunfish. 

This  beautiful  little  sunfish  is  found  wholly  west  of  the 
Alleghanies  and  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  Mexico.  It  is  usually 
abundant  in  all  suitable  waters  from  central  Ohio  and  Indiana  to 
the  Rio  Grande. 

It  is  not  often  found  in  lakes  or  large  streams  but  in  the 
smaller  creeks,  brooks  and  ponds  it  is  an  abundant  and  well- 
known  little  fish.  It  does  not  attain  a  greater  length  than  6  to 
8  inches  and  a  weight  of  more  than  4  or  5  ounces,  but  it  is  a 
sprightly  little  fish  and  excellent  for  the  pan.  Like  the  pumpkin- 
seed  it  is,  where  common,  a  prime  favourite  with  the  small  boy. 
It  readily  takes  a  hook  baited  with  grub  or  angleworm  and 
would  make  a  vicious  fight  for  liberty  if  it  were  only  larger. 
In  the  streams  of  Nebraska,  Kansas,  South  Dakota  and  south  to 
Texas,  where  game-fishes  are  not  abundant  the  green  sunfish  is 
a  choice  pan-fish. 

Head  3;  depth  2|;  D.  X,  n;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  small,  6  or  7- 
45  to  55-16,  40  to  48  pores,  8  rows  on  cheek;  gillrakers 
X-f-io.  Body  rather  elongate,  becoming  short  and  deep  with  age; 
head  large,  with  projecting  snout;  mouth  rather  large,  maxillary 
broad  and  flat,  with  a  small  supplemental  bone,  reaching  nearly 
to  middle  of  eye;  lower  jaw  projecting;  dorsal  spines  quite  low, 
the  highest  scarcely  longer  than  snout,  3  to  4  in  head  in  adult, 
longer  in  young;  opercular  spot  smaller  than  eye,  broadly  mar- 
gined with  bronze,  the  black  confined  to  the  bony  part;  pecto- 
ral short,  not  reaching  anal,  i£  in  head;  ventrals  not  reaching 
vent.  Colour,  variable,  the  prevailing  shade  green,  with  a  strong 
brassy  lustre  on  sides,  becoming  nearly  yellow  below;  each  scale 
usually  with  a  sky-blue  spot  and  more  or  less  of  gilt  edging, 
giving  an  appearance  of  pale  lateral  streaks;  besides  these  marks, 
dusky  or  obscure  vertical  bars  are  often  present,  and  the  sides 
are  sprinkled  with  dark  dots;  vertical  fins  marked  with  blue  or 
green,  the  anal  usually  edged  in  front  with  pale  orange;  usually 
a  conspicuous  black  spot  on  posterior  base  of  dorsal  and  anal 

343 


Common   Sunfishes 

fins,  these  sometimes   obsolete;   cheeks   with   narrow   blue  stripes; 
iris   red. 

The  green  sunfish  can  be  readily  told  from  all  other  species 
by  the  fact  that  the  black  opercular  spot  covers  only  the  bony 
or  hard  portion  of  the  opercle. 


Apomotis  symmetricus  is  a  pretty  and  interesting  sunfish,  not 
uncommon  in  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley  and  Texas,  where  it 
is  a  common  pan-fish. 


GENUS  LEPOMIS  T{AFINESQUE 
Common   Sunfishes 

Body  oblong  or  ovate,  more  or  less  compressed;  mouth  small, 
the  jaws  about  equal;  maxillary  narrow,  supplemental  bone  re- 
duced to  a  mere  rudiment  or  wholly  wanting;  teeth  on  vomer 
and  palatines,  none  on  tongue;  lower  pharyngeals  narrow,  the 
teeth  spherical  or  paved,  all  or  nearly  all  sharp,  few  or  none  of 
them  conical;  gillrakers  mostly  short;  preopercle  entire;  opercle 
ending  behind  in  a  convex  black  flap,  which  becomes  greatly 
developed  with  age  in  some  species;  branchiostegals  6;  scales 
moderate;  one  dorsal  fin  with  10  spines;  anal  with  3;  caudal  fin 
emarginate.  Colour,  brilliant,  but  evanescent. 

344 


Common  Sunfishes 

A  genus  with  about  8  species  which  are  among  the  most 
difficult  of  our  fishes  to  distinguish.  The  form  of  the  body,  de- 
velopment of  the  ear-flap,  and  height  of  the  spines  vary  with 
age  and  condition,  while  the  general  appearance  and  the  number 
of  scales  and  fin-rays  are  essentially  the  same  in  all. 

a.  Pectoral  fin   short,    obtuse,   not  reaching  beyond  front  of  anal, 

considerably  shorter  than  head. 

b.  Gillrakers  shortish,  rather  firm ;   palatine  teeth  present. 

c.  Opercular  flap  in  adult  very  long  but  narrow;   scales  43  to  48; 

longest  dorsal  spine  about  3  in  head;  some  bluish  stripes 
on  head;  belly  red  in  adult; auritus,  346 

cc.  Opercular  flap  short  and  broad;  scales  36  to  40;  longest  dorsal 
spine  about  2  in  head  ;  side  with  rows  of  red  spots  ; 

miniatus,  346 

bb,    Gillrakers  very  soft  and  weak;  palatine  teeth  obsolete. 

d.  Dorsal  spines  rather  long,   about  2  in  head;    side  with  rows  of 

bronze  spots; garmani,  347 

dd.  Dorsal  spines  short,  about  3  in  head  in  adult;  colour  brilliant, 

variable ; megalotis,  347 

aa.  Pectoral  fin  longer,  more  or  less  pointed,  not  much,  if  any, 

shorter  than  head,  reaching  to  or  beyond  front  of  anal. 

e.  Scales  very  large,  about  35  in  lateral  line. 

/.  Opercular  spot  short,  wholly  surrounded  by  a  red  margin;  side 
with  conspicuous  red  spots; humilis,  348 

ff    Opercular    spot    plain    black;    body   without    red    spots; 

haplognathus,  348 

ee.   Scales  moderate  or  small,  more  than  40  in  lateral  line. 

g.  Dorsal  fin  without  black  spot  at  base  of  last  rays;  opercular  flap 
short;  side  with  chain-like  cross-bands; macrochirus,  348 

gg.  Dorsal  fin  with  a  large  black  blotch  at  base  of  posterior  rays; 
opercular  flap  large  but  not  long; pallidus,  349 


34S 


Red-spotted   Sunfish 

Body  short  and  deep,  compressed,  the  back  very  strongly  arched 
in  adult,  the  profile  very  steep,  usually  forming  an  angle  above  the 
eyes,  but  sometimes  full  and  convex;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the 
premaxillary  rather  below  the  eye,  the  maxillary  reaching  middle  of 
eye;  gillrakers  very  short  and  soft,  weaker  than  in  any  other  species; 
dorsal  spines  very  low,  the  longest  little  longer  than  snout,  3  in 
head;  opercular  flap  in  the  adult  very  long  and  broad,  with  a  pale 
blue  or  red  margin,  which  is  sometimes  very  broad,  sometimes 
almost  wanting;  opercular  flap  half,  or  more,  longer  than  the  eye 
in  the  adult,  much  shorter  in  the  young.  Colour,  brilliant  blue 
and  orange,  the  back  chiefly  blue,  the  belly  entirely  orange,  the 
orange  on  sides  in  spots,  the  blue  in  wavy,  vertical  streaks;  lips 
blue;  cheek  orange,  with  bright  blue  stripes;  blue  stripes  before 
the  eye,  soft  parts  of  vertical  fins  with  the  rays  blue  and  the  mem- 
branes orange;  ventrals  dusky;  iris  red. 


Red-spotted   Sunfish 

Lepomis  humilis  (Girard) 

This  small,  highly-coloured  sunfish  is  found  from  Ohio  and 
Kentucky  west  to  the  Dakotas  and  south  to  Texas;  locally  abun- 
dant, especially  in  sandy  streams  in  the  lower  Missouri  basin. 
It  reaches  only  about  4  inches  in  length  and,  though  it  will  take 
a  hook  readily,  it  is  of  little  importance  as  a  game-fish. 

Body  oblong,  profile  not  steep;  scales  large;  spines  rather  high; 
mucous  pores  on  head  very  large;  opercular  flap  rather  long, 
broad,  and  with  a  very  broad  red  margin  which  entirely  sur- 
rounds the  black;  longest  dorsal  spine  not  quite  half  head;  pec- 
toral a  little  shorter  than  head;  gillrakers  rather  long  and  well 
developed.  Colour,  bluish,  with  conspicuous  greenish  spots  and 
mottlings  posteriorly;  side  with  many  conspicuous  round,  salmon- 
red  spots;  usually  a  faint  black  spot  on  last  rays  of  dorsal; 
belly  and  lower  fins  red. 

Lepomis  haplognathus  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from 
Monterey,  Nuevo  Leon,  Mexico.  The  species  is  interesting  chiefly 
in  that  it  is  the  most  southern  sunfish  known. 

In  the  Ohio  Valley,  and  southwestward  to  Kentucky  and 
Arkansas,  is  another  small  sunfish  (Lepomis  macrochirus)  reach- 
ing a  length  of  4  or  5  inches.  It  is  related  to  the  bluegill, 
from  which  it  differs  in  having  no  black  spot  on  dorsal  or  anal 

348 


The  Bluegill 

fin,    in  the  short  opercular  flap,    and   in   having    chain-like   cross- 
bands  on  the  side.     It  is  a  rare  species. 

Bluegill 

Lepomis  pallidus  (Mitchill) 

The  bluegill  is  perhaps  the  best  known  and  certainly  the  most 
important  of  all  our  true  sunfishes.  It  is  known  also  as  blue 
bream,  blue  sunfish,  copper-nosed  sunfish,  dollardee,  and  doubt- 
less by  many  other  vernacular  names.  It  is  found  throughout 
the  Great  Lakes  and  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  from  western  New 
York  and  Pennsylvania  to  Iowa  and  Missouri,  and  from  Minne- 
sota to  Florida  and  the  Rio  Grande.  It  is  one  of  our  most 
variable  and  widely  distributed  species,  and  is  found  in  all  lakes, 
ponds  and  quiet  streams  throughout  its  range.  Though  found  in 
quiet  streams,  it  is,  above  all,  the  sunfish  of  the  lakes,  whether 
large  or  small,  but  is  decidedly  more  abundant  in  the  smaller 
ones.  In  the  small  glacial  lakes  of  northern  Indiana  it  is  found 
in  very  great  numbers. 

The  bluegill  is  the  largest  of  the  sunfishes.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  12  to  14  inches,  and  a  weight  of  nearly  a  pound. 
The  average  weight  of  those  taken  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  about 
half  a  pound,  while  those  at  Bass  Lake  (another  famous  bluegill 
lake  10  miles  west  from  Lake  Maxinkuckee)  do  not  average 
more  than  3  or  4  ounces.  The  maximum  weight  is  about  i^ 
pounds. 

As  a  food-fish  the  bluegill  is  of  much  importance,  and  of  all 
the  species  it  is  the  one  most  often  sent  to  market,  where  it 
always  brings  a  good  price.  As  a  pan-fish  it  is  excelled,  among 
fresh-water  fishes,  only  by  the  yellow  perch.  Its  flesh  is  firm 
and  flaky,  and  possesses  a  delicious  flavour.  And  among  all  the 
sunfishes  it  holds  the  highest  rank  as  a  game-fish. 

It  can  be  taken  at  any  time  in  the  year,  even  through  the 
ice  in  winter.  It  bites  well  during  the  spring  and  early  sum- 
mer, while  from  early  July  until  September  it  is  particularly 
voracious,  and  fine  catches  can  then  be  made.  It  will  take  any 
sort  of  bait,  and  can  be  taken  with  any  sort  of  tackle.  Angle- 
worms are  probably  the  best  bait,  either  in  still-fishing  or  trolling, 
but  grasshoppers  are  also  excellent.  White  grubs,  small  minnows, 

349 


The  Bluegill 

small  pieces  of  fish  or  mussel  are  good ;  and  they  can  be  taken  on 
the  artificial  fly,  or  small  trolling  spoon. 

Most  of  those  who  fish  for  bluegills  do  so  at  anchor  and 
with  two  long  cane  poles  projecting  over  either  side  of  the 
stern  of  the  boat.  The  line  always  has  a  float  upon  it,  its  dis- 
tance from  the  hook  regulated  by  the  depth  of  the  water,  and 
the  hook  is  thrown  as  far  from  the  boat  as  possible. 

The  bluegills  are  usually  found  in  5  to  15  feet  of  water  on 
the  edges  of  the  bars  where  there  are  patches  of  Potamogeton 
or  other  water  plants.  They  usually  keep  in  more  or  less  definite 
schools,  and  the  patient  angler  usually  lands  them  all.  They  do 
not  seize  the  hook  with  a  rush  as  does  the  rock  bass,  but 
quietly  suck  it  in,  and  the  fight  does  not  begin  until  the  fish 
finds  that  it  is  hooked,  but  from  then  on  the  fight  is  of  the 
most  vigorous  kind,  and  "3  kept  up  to  the  end  with  a  persis- 
tency and  viciousness  that  make  the  bluegill  "the  gamest  of  all 
fishes  for  its  size." 

Colour,  rich  greenish  olive  on  back,  becoming  paler  on  sides; 
top  of  head  dark  greenish;  opercles  and  cheek  bluish;  opercular 
flap  rich  velvety  black,  a  small  whitish  spot  above  near  its  base; 
side  with  3  or  4  broad  darker  greenish  bars;  fins  all  greenish,  the  pec- 
toral palest,  reddish  at  base;  a  large  black  blotch  on  last  rays  of 
dorsal,  a  similar  one  on  anal;  the  dark  bars  become  obsolete  in 
the  adult;  no  blue  stripes  on  cheek;  no  red  on  fins;  old  individuals 
often  with  the  belly  coppery  red  or  brassy. 


GENUS  EUPOMOTIS  GILL  &  JORDAN 

This  genus  is  closely  related  to  Lepomis,  from  which  it  differs 
only  in  the  blunter  and  more  pavement-like  teeth  of  the  lower 
pharyngeal  bones.  These  bones  are  usually  broader  and  more 
concave  than  in  Lepomis,  the  gillrakers  are  usually  shorter  and 
fewer,  the  supplemental  maxillary  is  reduced  or  wanting,  and 
the  opercular  flap  is  always  provided  with  an  orange  spot  on 
its  -lower  posterior  border.  The  genus  as  now  understood  con- 
tains 6  known  species. 

a.  Pectoral  fin    short,   not    longer  tfian    head,   not    reaching  past 

origin   of  anal. 

b.  Mouth  large,  maxillary  about  reaching  pupil;  supplemental  max- 

illary present;  gillrakers  hard  and  of  moderate  length. 

35° 


BLUEGILL  SUNFISH,  Lepomis  pallidus 


RED-EARED  SUNFISH,  Eupomotis  heros 


McKay's  Sunfish 

c.  Dorsal  spines   moderate,    the  longest  equalling  snout  and  |-  the 

orbit;   depth   2-|-;   body   with  8  or  9   dusky   crossbars; 

pallidus,   351 
cc.   Dorsal  spines    shorter,    the  longest    equalling  snout    and   less 

than  \  of  the    orbit ; euryorus,   35 1 

bb.   Mouth   smaller,  maxillary  scarcely   reaching  orbit;   supplemental 

maxillary  absent  or  reduced  to  a  slight  rudiment;   gillrakers 

very  short  and  soft. 

d.  Pectoral  fin   slender,    nearly   as  long  as  head ; . . .  holbrooki,    352 

dd.    Pectoral  fin   obtuse,   shorter  than   head; gibbosus,    353 

aa.    Pectoral    fin   long,    slender    and    pointed,     longer    than   head, 

reaching  middle  of  anal. 

e.  Gillrakers  long,   their  ends  obtuse;   44    scales  in   lateral   line; 

longimanus,    352 

ee.   Gillrakers  short,   as   in    E.  gibbosus,    39    scales   in   lateral   line; 

her os,   354 

Eupomotis  pallidus,  which  has  received  no  distinctive  common 
name,  occurs  in  lowland  streams  from  Georgia  to  Texas.  It 
appears  to  be  rare  and  only  a  few  specimens  are  known.  It 
reaches  a  length  of  7  inches. 


McKay's  Sunfish 

Eupomotis  euryorus  (McKay) 

This  sunfish  is  known  only  from  southern  Michigan,  northern 
Ohio  and    northern    Indiana.     It   is,    preferably,    an  inhabitant    of 

35* 


Shell  Cracker 

small  lakes,  but  it  has  been  found  also  in  sluggish  streams.  In 
Lost  Lake  at  Maxinkuckee,  Indiana,  it  is  abundant  in  association 
with  the  bluegill.  It  reaches  a  length  of  8  inches,  but  is  of 
Mttle  value  as  a  food  or  game-fish.  It  rarely  takes  the  hook  and 
is  not  sought  by  even  the  boy  angler.  It  is,  however,  a  very 
interesting  and  handsome  fish. 

Colour,  in  spirits,  mottled  olive,  yellowish  below;  top  of 
head  blackish;  membranes  of  vertical  fins  dusky;  ventrals  dusky 
with  lighter  margins;  pectorals  pale. 


Shell  Cracker 

Eupomotis  holbrooki   (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

The  habitat  of  this  fish  extends  from  Virginia  to  Florida  in 
all  suitable  lowland  waters.  It  is  particularly  abundant  in  Florida 
in  which  State  it  seems  to  be  pretty  generally  distributed.  It  reaches 
a  length  of  nearly  a  foot  and  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
important  sunfishes  in  the  South.  Its  habits  are  much  the  same 
as  those  of  the  bluegill  which  it  also  resembles  as  a  food  and 
game-fish.  In  Florida  it  is  the  sunfish  which  is  most  frequently 
taken  on  the  hook,  the  long  cane  pole  being  the  rod  in  most 
popular  use. 

Body  robust,  compressed,  elevated,  the  snout  rather  produced; 
maxillary  reaching  orbit;  preopercle  slightly  toothed;  dorsal  fin 
high,  the  spines  about  as  high  as  the  soft  rays,  the  longest  half 
head;  pectoral  fin  very  long,  as  long  as  head;  gillrakers  moderate, 
obtuse,  strongly  toothed;  opercular  flap  short,  broad,  with  a  broad 
orange  margin  below  and  behind;  no  palatine  teeth;  lower  pharyn- 
geals  broad,  the  teeth  large,  with  subspherical  crowns.  Colour, 
dusky  olive,  silvery  below;  throat  yellow;  fins  dark,  with  yellowish 
rays;  no  black  spot  on  dorsal  or  anal. 

Eupomotis  longimanus  is  known  only  from  the  St.  Johns 
River,  Florida,  and  is  of  doubtful  validity. 


35* 


Common  Sunfish ;   Pumpkin  Seed 


Common  Sunfish  ;    Pumpkin-seed 

Eupomotis  gibbosus  (Linnaeus) 

"Slowly  upward,  wavering,  gleaming 
Rose  the   Ugudwash,   the   Sunfish; 
Seized  the   line  of  Hiawatha, 
Swung  with  all  his  weight  upon  it. 

But  when   Hiawatha  saw   him 
Slowly  rising  through  the  water, 
Lifting  up   his   disc  refulgent, 
Loud   he  shouted  in   derision 
'Esa!   esa  !   shame   upon   you, 
You  are   Ugudwash,   the   Sunfish; 
You  are  not  the  fish   I   wanted; 
You  are   not  the  King  of  Fishes.' " 

— Longfellow. 

And   Hiawatha  was  quite  right.     The  sunfish  is  by  no  means 
the  King  of  Fishes.     But  there   is   no  fish  which  has  been  oftener 
sought  by  the  young  angler  or  which   has  brought   more   joy  to 
the  American  boys  of  every  generation.    The  pumpkin-seed  is  pre- 
353 


Red-eared  Sunfish 

eminently  the  small  boy's  fish,  though  it  is  by  no  means  de- 
spised by  children  of  larger  growth.  Never  reaching  a  size  that 
quite  satisfies  any  one  except  the  boy,  yet  biting  with  a  vim 
which  makes  one  regret  that  it  is  not  larger;  for  a  2  or  3  pound 
"Sunny,"  would  surely  be  a  fish  to  try  the  skill  and  delight 
•the  heart  of  any  angler. 

The  pumpkin-seed  is  a  familiar  inhabitant  of  clear  brooks  and 
ponds  from  Maine  to  the  Great  Lakes  and  southward  east  of  the 
Alleghanies  to  Florida.  In  the  Mississippi  Valley  it  is  found  only 
in  the  northern  portion,  being  fairly  abundant  in  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Iowa  and  northward.  It  is  said  to  be  rather  rare  south 
of  Virginia.  It  reaches  a  length  of  8  inches  and  a  weight  of  6 
or  8  ounces,  and  is  "a  very  beautiful  and  compact  little  fish, 
perfect  in  all  its  parts,  looking  like  a  brilliant  coin  fresh  from 
the  mint." 

Colour,  greenish-olive  above,  shaded  with  bluish,  the  sides 
spotted  and  blotched  with  orange;  belly  orange-yellow;  cheek 
orange,  with  wavy  blue  streaks;  lower  fins  orange,  the  bluish 
and  orange  spotted;  opercular  flap  rather  small,  the  lower  pos- 
terior part  always  bright  scarlet,  a  mark  which  at  once  dis- 
tinguishes this  species,  when  adult,  from  all  our  other  brightly 
coloured  sunfishes. 

Eupomotis  gibbosus  is  subject  to  considerable  variations  as  is 
to  be  expected  in  a  species  of  such  wide  distribution.  Blue 
stripes  and  blue  markings  on  the  side  are  very  prominent  in  ex- 
amples from  Hicksville,  Ohio,  and  Marion,  Iowa.  Examples  from 
Winona  Lake,  Indiana,  have  7  or  8  faint  dark  bars  on  side  and 
no  blue  stripes  on  cheek. 

Red-eared  Sunfish 

Eupomotis  heros  (Baird  &  Girard) 

This  sunfish  is  found  from  northern  Indiana  to  Florida  and 
the  Rio  Grande.  It  is  an  inhabitant  of  lowland  streams  and 
ponds,  but  does  not  appear  to  be  common  anywhere.  It  reaches 
a  length  of  6  or  7  inches.  Nothing  is  definitely  known  as  to 
its  food  and  game  qualities. 

Body  robust,  moderately  elongate,  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines 
equally  curved;  head  rather  large,  the  projecting  snout  forming 

354 


SMALL-MOUTH  BLACK  BASS,  Micropterus  dolomieu 


SMALL-MOUTH  BLACK  BASS,  Micropterus  dolomieu 

The  same  individual  fish  as  above,  showing  the  interesting  changes  in  colour  markings  occurring  within  a  brief  time 
Photographed  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Indiana 


The  Black  Basses 

a  considerable  angle  above  the  eyes;  mouth  rather  wide,  oblique, 
maxillary  reaching  slightly  part  front  of  eye;  pectoral  fin  reach- 
ing beyond  middle  of  pupil;  opercular  flap  smaller  than  eye, 
much  as  in  E.  gibbosus;  gillrakers  short  and  not  very  stiff; 
pharyngeal  teeth  paved,  less  blunt  than  in  E.  gibbosus.  Colour, 
dark,  greenish  above,  gradually  becoming  brassy  toward  belly 
which  is  light  brassy;  opercular  spot  greenish  black;  the  flap 
with  a  broad,  blood-red  border  in  the  male,  plain  in  the  female; 
no  dark  spot  on  dorsal  or  anal. 


GENUS  MICROTTERUS  LACETEDE 
The  Black  Basses 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  the  back  not  much  elevated;  head 
oblong,  conic;  mouth  very  large,  oblique,  the  broad  maxillary 
reaching  nearly  to  or  even  beyond  the  eye;  supplemental  bone 
well  developed;  lower  jaw  prominent;  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer  and 
palatines  in  broad  villiform  bands,  the  inner  depressible;  usually 
no  teeth  on  tongue;  preopercle  entire,  the  opercle  ending  in  2 
flat  points  without  cartilaginous  flap;  branchiostegals  normally  6; 
gillrakers  long  and  slender;  scales  rather  small,  weakly  ctenoid; 
lateral  line  complete;  dorsal  fin  divided  by  a  deep  notch,  the 
spines  low  and  not  especially  strong;  anal  fin  much  smaller 
than  the  dorsal;  pectoral  obtusely  pointed,  the  upper  rays  longest; 
ventrals  below  the  pectorals  and  close  together;  caudal  fin  emar- 
ginate.  Size  large. 

Two  species,  among  the  most  important  of  American  game- 
fishes,  now  largely  introduced  into  European  waters. 

a.  Mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  in  adult  not  extending  beyond 
eye;  scales  small,  about  17  rows  on  cheek;  young  more 
or  less  barred  or  spotted;  never  with  a  black  lateral  band; 

dolomieu,  355 

aa.  Mouth  very  large,  the  maxillary  in  adult  extending  beyond 
eye;  scales  rather  large,  about  10  rows  on  cheek;  young 
with  a  blackish  lateral  band ; salmoides,  357 

Small-mouthed   Black  Bass;   Black  Bass 

Micropterus  dolomieu  Lace"pede 

In  the  felicitous  words  of  Dr.  James  A.  Henshall,  the  author 
of  the  "Book  of  the  Black  Bass," 

3SS 


Small-mouthed  Black  Bass 

"The  black  bass  is  eminently  an  American  fish;  he  has  the 
faculty  of  asserting  himself  and  making  himself  completely  at 
home  wherever  placed.  He  is  plucky,  game,  brave  and  unyield- 
ing to  the  last  when  hooked.  He  has  the  arrowy  rush  of  the 
trout,  the  untiring  strength  and  bold  leap  of  the  salmon,  while 
he  has  a  system  of  fighting  tactics  peculiarly  his  own.  He  will 
rise  to  the  artificial  fly  as  readily  as  the  salmon  or  the  brook  trout, 
under  the  same  conditions;  and  will  take  the  live  minnow,  or 
other  live  bait,  under  any  and  all  circumstances  favourable  to  the 
taking  of  any  other  fish.  I  consider  him,  inch  for  inch  and 
pound  for  pound,  the  gamest  fish  that  swims."  And  there  are 
few,  if  any,  who  will  be  disposed  to  take  issue  in  this  matter 
with  so  experienced  and  expert  an  angler  as  Dr.  Henshall. 

The  black  bass  is  found  in  most  suitable  waters  from  Lake 
Champlain  westward  to  Manitoba  and  southward  on  both  sides 
of  the  mountains  from  James  River,  Virginia,  to  South  Carolina 
and  the  Great  Lakes  to  northern  Mississippi  and  Arkansas. 
Through  the  operations  of  the  Federal  and  various  State  Fish 
Commissions  it  has  been  introduced  into  many  waters  to  which 
it  was  not  native.  It  was  planted  in  the  headwaters  of  the  Potomac 
as  early  as  1853,  and  since  then  it  has  been  successfully  intro- 
duced into  many  waters  in  New  England  and  other  states  east  of 
the  Alleghanies,  into  many  of  the  Western  States,  and  in  Eng- 
land, France,  Germany,  and  other  foreign  countries. 

In  nearly  all  the  localities  where  the  black  bass  has  been 
planted  it  has  done  well,  and  it  is  now  an  abundant  species 
not  only  throughout  its  natural  habitat  but  in  many  other  places. 
It  is  by  preference  a  fish  of  the  clear  running  streams,  and  clearer, 
colder  lakes.  In  the  North  it  is  equally  abundant  in  lakes  and 
streams,  while  in  the  southern  part  of  its  range  it  will  be  found 
only  in  the  cooler  streams  which  possess  a  good  current. 

The  habits,  game  qualities  and  food  value  of  the  black  bass 
are  so  well  known,  and  so  much  has  been  written  about  this 
splendid  fish,  that  a  lengthy  presentation  of  the  subject  is  not 
given  here. 

This  fish  varies  greatly  in  size  in  different  waters.  The 
maximum  weight  seems  to  be  about  5  pounds.  An  example 
caught  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  i8f  inches  long,  and  12  inches  in 
circumference,  weighed  4  pounds.  The  largest  ever  taken  in  that 
lake  weighed  about  5  pounds. 

356 


Large-mouthed  Black  Bass;   Straw  Bass 

Like  all  fishes  of  wide  distribution,  the  black  bass  presents 
great  variations  in  colour;  but  whatever  the  colour  the  adult  can 
always  be  readily  distinguished  from  the  large-mouthed  black 
bass  by  the  presence  of  about  17  rows  of  scales  on  the  cheek 
instead  of  10  or  n  in  the  latter  species. 

Head  2\  to  3$;  depth  2f  to  j\\  eye  5  to  6|;  D.  X,  13  to  15;  A.  Ill, 
10  to  12;  scales  11-72  to  85-25,  07  to  78  pores,  about  17  rows  or 
cheek.  Body  ovate-fusiform,  becoming  deeper  with  age;  mouth  large: 
but  smaller  than  in  the  large-mouthed  black  bass;  maxillary 
ending  considerably  in  front  of  posterior  border  of  orbit,  except 
in  very  old  examples;  scales  on  cheek  minute;  those  on  body 
small;  dorsal  fin  deeply  notched,  but  less  so  than  in  the  other 
species,  the  ninth  spine  being  about  half  as  long  as  the  fifth, 
and  not  much  shorter  than  the  tenth;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  each 
scaly  at  the  base.  General  colouration,  dull  golden  green,  with 
bronze  lustre,  often  blotched  with  darker,  especially  on  head; 
y  ung  with  darker  spots  along  the  sides,  which  tend  to  form 
short  vertical  bars,  but  never  a  dark  lateral  band;  3  bronze  bands 
radiating  from  eye  across  cheek  and  opercles;  a  dusky  spot  on 
point  of  opercle;  belly  white;  caudal  fin  yellowish  at  base,  then 
black,  with  white  tips;  dorsal  with  bronze  spots,  its  edge  dusky.  In 
some  waters  the  fin-markings  are  obsolete,  but  they  are  usually 
conspicuous  in  the  young.  Southern  examples  usually  have  the 
scales  on  lower  part  of  sides  with  faint  dark  streaks.  Adults 
have  all  these  markings  more  or  less  obliterated,  the  colour 
ultimately  becoming  a  uniform  dead  green,  without  silvery  lustre. 

Large-mouthed  Black  Bass;  Straw  Bass 

Micropterus  salmoides  (Lace'pede) 

Among  the  Centrarchidce,  the  large-mouthed  black  bass  is 
second  only  to  its  cogener,  the  small-mouthed  species,  as  a  game- 
fish.  It  is  equally  well  known  to  anglers,  and  its  range  is  even 
greater.  From  Canada  and  the  Red  River  of  the  North  it  ex- 
tends southward  to  Florida,  Texas,  and  even  into  Mexico.  In  all 
suitable  waters  it  is  everywhere  abundant,  but  prefers  lakes,  bay- 
ous and  other  sluggish  waters.  In  the  small  lakes  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi  Valley  it  is  most  abundant  in  those  of  moderate  or 
shallow  depths.  Some  small  lakes  that  are  rather  shallow,  whose 
bottoms  are  chiefly  mud,  and  whose  water  is  warm,  are  found 
to  be  well  suited  to  the  straw  bass,  and  to  be  entirely  without 
the  small-mouthed  black  bass.  But  small  lakes  of  considerable 
depth,  cool  water  and  with  bottom  partly  of  mud  and  partly  of 

357 


Large-mouthed  Black  Bass ;   Straw  Bass 

sand  and  gravel,  such  as  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  seem  equally  well 
adapted  to  both  species.  In  the  ponds,  bayous,  lagoons  and 
sluggish  streams  of  the  South  the  straw  bass  is  very  abundant. 
It  frequently  enters  brackish  water  along  the  coast,  where  it 
seems  to  be  permanently  resident. 

In  the  North  the  maximum  weight  of  the  straw  bass  is 
about  8  pounds.  Examples  of  that  size  are  rarely  seen,  how- 
ever. The  average  size  does  not  exceed  3  or  4  pounds,  though 
examples  weighing  5  or  6  pounds  are  not  at  all  rare.  In  the  warm 
waters  of  the  South,  particularly  in  Florida,  where  the  tempera- 
tare  is  equable  and  food  abundant,  this  fish  attains  a  much 
greater  size.  Dr.  Henshall  gives  the  maximum  weight  at  12  to 
14  pounds,  he  himself  having  seen  examples  of  those  weights. 

The  straw  bass,  under  favourable  surroundings,  grows  very 
rapidly.  The  conditions  favourable  for  rapid  and  large  growth 
are  abundant  food  and  waters  of  warm  or  moderate  temperature 
and  wide  extent.  The  species  is  very  productive.  In  May,  1892, 
the  Fish  Commission  placed  in  one  of  the  rearing  ponds  at 
Washington  ,15  adult  large-mouth  black  bass,  7  or  of  which 
were  females.  These  fish  spawned  in  June  and  at  Thanksgiving 
time,  when  the  young  were  removed  from  the  pond,  there  were 
taken  out,  by  actual  count,  over  37,000  young,  each  3  to  4  inches 
long  and  500  each  weighing  about  one-half  pound.  These  fish 
had  received  abundant  food,  but  the  500  larger  ones  had  doubt 
less  eaten  many  smaller  ones  of  their  own  kind. 

This  fish  has  received  many  vernacular  names,  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  large-mouthed  black  bass,  straw  bass,  green 
bass,  bayou  bass,  slough  bass,  lake  bass,  moss  bass,  grass  bass, 
marsh  bass,  Oswego  bass,  trout,  green  trout,  welchman,  chub, 
and  many  others  more  or  less  absurd.  The  most  distinctive  and 
expressive  name  is  doubtless  "large-mouthed  black  bass,"  the 
only  objection  to  which  is  its  length.  For  many  reasons  "straw 
bass"  for  this  species  and  "black  bass"  for  the  small-mouthed 
species  are  excellent  names. 

The  relative  merits  of  the  2  species  as  game-fishes  have 
been  much  discussed.  This  depends  upon  many  factors,  as  the 
character  of  the  water  with  regard  to  extent,  depth,  temperature 
and  presence  of  vegetation,  character  of  bottom,  food,  season, 
time  of  day,  personality  of  the  particular  fish,  and  many  others. 
Dr.  Henshall  regards  them  as  of  equal  gameness.  Our  own 

358 


Large-mouthed  Black  Bass;   Straw  Bass 

experience  leads  us  to  believe  that  where  the  2  species  are  found 
in  the  same  water,  the  small-mouthed  is  superior  in  all  those 
qualities  which  go  together  to  make  a  game-fish.  The  straw- 
bass  is,  however,  an  equally  good  fighter  in  some  portions  of 
its  range  and  is  worthy  the  highest  respect  of  all  who  go  a-angling. 

This  bass  varies  greatly  in  colour  and  proportional  measure- 
ments in  different  waters.  There  need  be  no  difficulty,  how- 
ever in  identifying  any  specimen  belonging  to  the  species.  From 
the  small-mouthed  black  bass,  the  only  species  with  which  it 
might  be  confused,  the  large-mouthed  black  bass  can  always  be 
told  by  its  having  only  10  or  11  rows  of  scales  on  the  cheek. 

Head  3  to  3^;  depth  3  to  3^;  eye  5  to  6;  D.  X,  12  or  13; 
A.  Ill,  10  or  n;  scales  7-65  to  70-18,  about  58  to  67  pores, 
10  or  n  rows  of  scales  on  cheek.  Body  ovate-fusiform,  becom- 
ing deeper  with  age,  moderately  compressed;  head  large;  mouth 
very  wide,  the  maxillary  in  adult  reaching  beyond  the  eye,  shorter 
in  the  young;  scales  on  body  comparatively  large;  teeth  some- 
times present  on  tongue;  gillrakers  longer  than  gill-fringes;  dor- 
sal fin  very  deeply  notched,  its  fifth  spine  3^  in  head.  General 
colour,  dark  green  above,  sides  and  belov;  greenish  silvery;  young 
with  a  blackish  stripe  along  the  side  from  opercle  to  middle  of 
caudal  fin;  3  oblique  dark  stripes  across  the  cheek  and  opercles; 
some  dark  spots  above  and  below  lateral  line;  caudal  fin  pale 
at  base,  then  blackish,  and  whitish  at  tip;  belly  white.  As  the 
fish  grows  older  the  black  lateral  band  breaks  up  and  grows 
fainter,  and  the  colour  becomes  more  and  more  uniform  pale 
dull  green,  the  back  being  darker. 


3S9 


THE  PERCHES 

Family  XLVL     Percidce 

THE  Percidaz  comprise  one  of  the  largest  and,  from  some  points 
of  view,  one  of  the  most  interesting  groups  of  freshwater  fishes. 
Though  represented  in  both  Europe  and  America  by  numerous  species, 
the  great  majority  are  little  known  to  any  except  to  those  who  really 
study  fishes,  while  a  few  of  the  species  are  among  the  best  known  of 
the  inhabitants  of  our  lakes  and  streams.  These  are  our  yellow 
perch  and  wall-eyed  pike.  The  vast  majority  of  the  species  belong  to 
the  subfamily  of  darters  (Etheostomince) ,  all  of  which  are  American. 
They  are  among  the  most  singular  and  interesting  of  our  fishes,  all 
being  of  very  small  size  and  most  of  them  of  very  brilliant  colouration. 
None  of  the  more  than  80  species  is  of  any  value  as  food,  but  some 
are  used  as  live  bait.  Descriptions  of  all  the  species  and  much  interest- 
ing matter  concerning  their  habits  may  be  found  in  our  "Fishes  of 
North  and  Middle  America."  In  the  following  keys  and  descriptions 
only  those  few  possessing  game  qualities  and  food-value  are  considered. 

a.  Canine  teeth  on  jaws  and  palatines;  body  elongate.  Sti^ostedion,  360 
aa.  Canine  teeth  none ;  body  oblong Perca,  364 


GENUS  STIZOSTEDION  RAFINESQUE 

The  American  Pike-perches 

Body  elongate,  fusiform,  the  back  broad;  head  subconical,  long; 
cheeks,  opercles,  and  top  of  head  more  or  less  scaly;  mouth  large,  the 
jaws  about  equal;  premaxillaries  protractile,  but  little  movable;  teeth 
in  villiform  bands,  the  jaws  and  palatines  with  long,  sharp  canines; 
gill-rakers  slender  but  strong;  gill-membranes  separate;  preopercle 
serrate,  the  serrae  below  turned  forward ;  opercle  with  one  or  more 
spines;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  first  with  12  to  15  spines,  the 
second  with  17  to  21  rays;  last  dorsal  spine  not  erectile,  but  bound 
down  by  membrane;  anal  spines  2,  slender,  closely  bound  to  the  soft 
rays,  which  are  n  to  14  in  number;  ventrals  well  separated ;  scales 
small,  strongly  ctenoid,  the  lateral  line  continuous. 

360 


Wall-eyed  Pike ;  Pike-perch 

This  genus  contains  2  species,  large,  carnivorous  fishes  of  the 
fresh  waters  of  North  America,  highly  valued  as  food  and  ranking 
among  our  most  interesting  and  important  game-fishes. 

a.  Pyloric  cosca  3,  of  nearly  equal  length,  and  each  about  as  long  as 
the  stomach •vitreum,  36 1 

aa.  Pyloric  coeca  5  to  7,  4  of  them  much  shorter  than  the  stomach, 
the  others  smaller  and  variable canadense,  363 


Wall-eyed   Pike;    Pike-perch 

Sti^pstedion  vitreum   (Mitchill) 

This  important  fish  is  a  species  of  wide  distribution.  It  is  found 
from  Lake  Champlain  westward  throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region  and 
to  Assiniboia.  It  is  native  also  to  the  small  lakes  of  New  York  and  the 
Susquehanna  and  Juniata  rivers,  east  of  the  Alleghenies.  In  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  it  occurs  in  many  of  the  larger  streams  and  small  lakes  as 
far  south  as  Georgia  and  Alabama.  Though  found  in  many  streams,  it 
is  preferably  a  fish  of  the  lakes,  and  it  reaches  its  greatest  abundance  in 
the  Great  Lakes,  particularly  in  Lake  Erie.  In  different  parts  of  its 
range  it  is  known  by  different  names.  Among  the  Great  Lakes  it  is 
called  the  wall-eyed  pike,  yellow  pike,  dore  or  dory  by  the  French-Cana- 
dians, and  pickerel  in  places  where  the  true  pike  (Esox  lucius)  is  found. 

In  the  Susquehanna  and  Juniata  rivers,  and  in  the  small  lakes  of 
northern  Indiana,  it  is  known  as  salmon  or  jack  salmon,  names  absurd 
and  wholly  without  excuse.  Southward  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  it  is 
the  jack.  Elsewhere  it  is  called  okow,  blowfish,  or  green  pike.  In 
the  Great  Lakes,  particularly  in  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  the  young  of  a 

361 


Wall-eyed  Pike ;  Pike-perch 

certain  colour  are  known  as  blue  pike,  which  commercial  fishermen 
believe  to  be  a  wholly  distinct  species  from  the  yellow  pike.  So  firmly 
fixed  is  this  belief  that  they  have  little  patience  with  the  naturalist  who 
tells  them  otherwise.  They  all  admit,  however,  that  they  have  never 
found  any  blue  pike  with  roe,  and  are  unable  to  point  out  any  differ- 
ences except  that  of  colour.  And  not  all  of  them  agree  regarding  that 
character.  We  have  been  shown  fish  which  some  fishermen  said  were 
blue  pike  which  others  as  stoutly  maintained  were  yellow  pike.  It 
may  be  stated  that  no  structural  differences  of  value  are  known,  and 
everything  points  to  their  identity.  Formerly  no  distinction  was  made 
in  the  price  of  blue  pike  and  yellow  pike,  but  for  many  years  the  deal- 
ers have  made  a  difference,  and  now  the  blue  pike  is  classed  as  "soft." 
But  this  is  principally  on  account  of  their  abundance  rather  than  to  any 
real  inferiority  of  flavour  or  keeping  qualities.  A  book-name  used  by 
the  United  States  Fish  Commission  is  pike-perch,  and  a  very  appro- 
priate name  it  is,  showing  at  once  its  relationship  with  the  Percidw  and 
at  the  same  time  calling  attention  to  its  slender,  pike-like  body. 

The  wall-eyed  pike  prefers  clear  water,  with  rock,  gravel,  sand,  or 
hard  clay  bottom,  and  is  rarely  found  in  muddy  streams  or  lakes.  It 
is  a  voracious  fish,  feeding  largely  upon  various  minnows,  but  not  to 
any  great  extent  upon  the  young  of  the  whitefish  or  other  important 
food-fishes.  It  also  feeds  freely  upon  crawfishes  during  the  season 
when  in  shallow  water. 

This  fish  ordinarily  inhabits  water  of  moderate  depth,  deeper  than 
that  frequented  by  the  black  bass,  but  more  shallow  than  that  sought 
by  the  whitefish  and  cisco.  It  varies  greatly  in  size,  the  maximum 
length  being  about  3  feet  and  the  maximum  weight  about  25  pounds. 
But  examples  of  this  size  are  very  rare.  Specimens  weighing  even  15 
pounds  are  not  common.  It  is  doubtful  if  those  taken  in  the  Great 
Lakes  average  heavier  than  10  pounds.  Those  taken  in  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee  run  from  3  to  7  pounds.  The  so-called  blue  pike  average 
less  than  2  pounds. 

The  spawning-time  of  the  wall-eyed  pike  is  in  the  early  spring,  and 
begins  even  before  the  ice  goes  off.  The  spawning-place  is  in  shoal 
water,  usually  on  the  edges  of  the  bars,  on  hard  or  gravel  bottom.  The 
eggs  are  very  small,  only  about  ^  inch  in  diameter,  and  average  about 
150,000  to  the  quart.  The  spawning  fish  at  Put-in  Bay  average  about 
2  pounds  in  weight,  and  produce  about  90,000  eggs  each.  Larger  fish 
produce  proportionally  a  greater  number;  and  a  2O-pound  fish  would 
yield  about  900,000  eggs. 

362 


Sauger;  Sand-pike 

This  is  one  of  the  most  important  fishes  propagated  by  the  United 
States  Fish  Commission.  The  principal  propagating-station  is  at  Put- 
in Bay,  and  the  output  in  1900  was  89,700,000  eggs,  fry,  and  finger- 
lings. 

Those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  wall-eyed  pike  as  a  food-fish 
hold  it  in  very  high  esteem.  The  flesh  is  firm,  flaky,  and  white,  and 
of  delicious  flavour. 

Colour,  dark  olive,  finely  mottled  with  brassy,  the  latter  colour 
forming  indistinct  oblique  bars ;  sides  of  head  more  or  less  vermiculated ; 
lower  jaw  flesh-coloured;  belly  and  lower  fins  pinkish;  spinous  dorsal 
with  a  large  jet-black  blotch  on  membrane  of  the  last  2  or  3  spines, 
otherwise  nearly  plain;  second  dorsal  and  caudal  mottled  —  olive  and 
yellowish ;  base  of  pectoral  dusky,  without  distinct  black  blotch. 

The  colour  of  this  fish  is  very  variable,  as  is  indicated  by  some  of 
its  vernacular  names,  as  yellow  pike,  gray  pike,  and  blue  pike.  It  can 
always  be  told  from  the  sauger  by  its  fewer  subequal  pyloric  creca. 


Sauger;  Sand-pike 

Sti^ostedion   canadense  (Smith) 

The  sauger  is  found  from  the  St.  Lawrence  westward  through  the 
Great  Lakes,  and  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  west  to  Montana  and  south 
to  Tennessee  and  Arkansas.  It  is  especially  abundant  northward,  in  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  the  lower  Great  Lakes,  where  the  typical  form  is 
found.  In  the  upper  Great  Lakes  and  southwestward  is  found  the  sub- 
species griseum,  which  differs  chiefly  in  the  smoother  opercles,  fewer 
opercular  spines,  and  the  less  complete  squamation  of  the  head.  In 

363 


The  River  Perch 

the  upper  Missouri  basin  is  found  the  subspecies  boreum,  differing  only 
in  the  more  slender  head. 

The  sauger  is  a  much  smaller  fish  than  the  wall-eyed  pike,  its 
length  seldom  exceeding  a  foot  or  18  inches  and  its  weight  a  pound  or 
two.  It  is  on  this  account  much  less  important  as  a  food-fish  than  the 
wall-eye.  Nor  is  it  much  valued  as  a  game-fish,  except,  perhaps,  in 
the  Mississippi  Valley,  where  it  is  frequently  taken  by  casting  and 
sometimes  by  trolling. 

A  few  years  ago  the  sauger  was,  to  the  few  elect  who  knew 
where  to  find  it,  the  choicest  game-fish  of  the  lower  Wabash  River; 
and  we  knew  a  minister  who  always  went  "saugering"  when  he 
failed  in  other  ways  to  get  the  proper  inspiration  for  his  next  Sunday's 
sermon.  Starting  in  at  the  Vandalia  bridge,  he  would  direct  his  oars- 
man to  get  out  into  the  current,  then  row  slowly  up  stream,  even 
to  old  Fort  Harrison  and  beyond,  perhaps  to  Durkee's  Ferry;  then, 
turning,  slowly  drift  with  the  current  home  again.  Meanwhile,  with 
a  small,  silvery  minnow  (a  satin-fin,  creek  chub,  or  river  chub)  at  the 
end  of  50  feet  of  line,  trolling  through  the  quiet  ripples  and  over  the 
deep  pools,  he  patiently  waits  for  the  sauger's  strike;  and,  while  wait- 
ing, his  eyes  take  in  the  beauties  of  the  river,  the  shore,  and  the  sky; 
ideas  come  readily,  his  thoughts  fall  together  in  logical  sequence,  and 
when  Sunday  comes,  the  sermon  that  he  preaches  is  filled  with  sun- 
shine, and  love,  and  faith  in  humanity;  and  his  flock  know  that  their 
pastor  has  spent  a  day  upon  the  river. 

The  sauger  can  be  easily  distinguished  from  the  wall-eyed  pike  by 
its  having  4  to  7  pyloric  coeca  of  unequal  length.  Colour,  olive-gray, 
sides  brassy  or  orange,  with  dark  mottlings,  most  distinct  in  the  young, 
which  are  sharply  marked;  first  dorsal  with  2  or  3  rows  of  round 
black  spots,  but  no  black  blotch  on  last  spines;  second  dorsal  with  3 
irregular  rows  of  dark  spots;  a  large  black  blotch  on  base  of  pectoral; 
caudal  dusky  and  yellowish. 


GENUS  TERCA  LINN^US 

The  River  Perch 

Body  oblong,  somewhat  compressed,  the  back  elevated;  cheeks 
scaly,  opercles  mostly  naked,  the  opercle  armed  with  a  single  spine; 
preopercle  and  shoulder-girdle  serrated,  the  former  with  retrorse, 
hooked  serrations  below;  premaxillaries  protractile;  teeth  in  villiform 

364 


Yellow  Perch;  Ringed  Perch 

bands  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  no  canine  teeth;  brnnchiostegals 
7;  gill-membranes  separate;  scales  small,  ctenoid;  lateral  line  com- 
plete; dorsal  fins  entirely  separate;  caudal  emarginate;  air-bladder 
present;  pyloric  coeca  j. 

Three  species  known,  all  freshwater  fishes  of  northern  regions, 
only  one  of  them  in  America. 


Yellow   Perch;  Ringed   Perch 

Perca  flavescens   (Mitchill) 

"I  pray  you,  sir,  give  me  some  observations  and  directions  con- 
cerning the  Pearcb,  for  they  say  he  is  both  a  very  good  and  a  bold- 
biting  fish,  and  I  would  fain  learne  to  fish  for  him." 

—  The  Complete  Angler. 

The  yellow  perch  is  found  in  the  eastern  United  States,  chiefly 
northward  and  eastward.  It  is  abundant  in  the  Great  Lakes  and  in 
the  larger  coastwise  streams  and  lakes  from  Nova  Scotia  to  North 
Carolina;  also  in  most  of  the  small  lakes  in  the  upper  Mississippi 
Valley,  especially  in  northern  Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Wisconsin, 
Minnesota,  and  Iowa.  It  is  found  in  some  of  the  streams  of  this  re- 
gion, but  it  is  by  preference  a  lake  fish.  It  is  not  known  from  the 
Ohio  River,  nor  from  the  lower  Missouri.  In  most  of  the  New  Eng- 
land lakes  and  those  of  New  York  it  is  an  abundant  and  well- 
known  fish. 


365 


Yellow  Perch;  Ringed  Perch 

Wherever  found,  this  species  is  the  perch  par  excellence.  Among 
other  names  by  which  it  is  known  are  American  perch,  raccoon  perch, 
red  perch,  and  striped  perch.  It  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  and  best 
known  of  freshwater  fishes.  Its  usual  length  is  10  to  14  inches,  and 
its  weight  £  to  2  pounds.  Examples  of  3  and  4  pounds,  however, 
have  been  recorded.  The  largest  examples  of  which  we  have  a  defi- 
nite record  are  one  of  4^  pounds  recorded  by  Dr.  Goode,  caught  in 
Delaware  Bay  by  Dr.  C.  C.  Abbott,  and  another  reported  to  us  by  Mr. 
F.  A.  Lucas.  It  was  taken  at  Moreys  Hole,  Massachusetts,  and 
weighed  3  pounds  2  ounces.  The  yellow  perch  of  Europe  seems  to 
grow  much  larger,  examples  of  as  great  as  8  and  9  pounds  having 
been  recorded. 

As  a  pan-fish  we  do  not  know  of  any  better  among  American 
freshwater  fishes.  We  have  experimented  with  the  yellow  perch  and 
several  other  species,  including  both  species  of  black  bass,  the  blue- 
gill,  wall-eyed  pike,  and  rock-bass,  eating  each  for  several  days  in  suc- 
cession, and  found  the  yellow  perch  the  sweetest  and  most  delicious  of 
them  all.  One  does  not  tire  of  it  so  soon  as  of  the  other  kinds.  Sev- 
eral other  persons  who  tried  the  same  experiment  reached  the  same 
conclusion.  In  most  parts  of  its  range  it  is  highly  esteemed,  and  in 
many  places  it  is  of  very  considerable  commercial  importance.  In  the 
Great  Lakes,  the  Potomac  River,  and  the  small  lakes  in  the  upper  Missis- 
sippi Valley  large  quantities  are  taken,  which  always  find  a  ready  sale. 

As  a  game-fish  the  yellow  perch  can  be  commended  chiefly  on 
account  of  the  fact  that  anybody  can  catch  it.  It  can  be  taken  with 
hook  and  line  any  month  in  the  year  and  with  any  sort  of  bait,  grass- 
hoppers, angleworms,  grubs,  small  minnows,  pieces  of  mussel,  or  pieces 
offish;  and  it  will  even  rise,  and  freely,  too,  on  occasion,  to  the  artifi- 
cial fly;  we  have  taken  it  "skittering,"  and  also  on  the trolling-spoon. 
It  is  easily  taken  through  the  ice  in  winter,  when  small  minnows  are 
the  best  bait,  as  they  are  perhaps  at  other  times.  The  yellow  perch  is 
not  a  great  fighter, —  its  small  size  precludes  that  possibility, —  but  it 
bites  well,  and  a  2-pounder,  or  one  even  half  that  size,  is  a  fish  well 
worth  one's  while  to  take.  If  it  be  angled  for  in  deep  water, — say  25 
to  40  feet, —  in  water  that  is  cold  and  pure,  and  with  light  tackle,  it  will 
be  found  able  to  make  a  fight  quite  enough  to  please  any  except  the 
most  blase  of  anglers. 

Besides,  the  yellow  perch  is  a  fish  that  can  be  caught  by  the 
women  and  children,  who  do  not,  as  a  rule,  seek  the  more  noble  game- 
fishes;  and  many  an  inland  summer  resort  is  made  vastly  more  attrac- 

366 


3      4) 

II 
1 1 

<«.  .e 


Yellow  Perch;  Ringed  Perch 

tive  because  our  wives  and  children  who  are  spending  the  summer  at 
the  little  inland  lake  are  always  able  to  bring  in  good  strings  of  delicious 
yellow  perch.  As  Thoreau  has  said  in  "  Walden  Pond":  "  It  is  a  true 
fish,  such  as  the  angler  loves  to  put  into  his  basket  or  hang  on  top  of 
his  willow  twig  on  shady  afternoons,  along  the  banks  of  the  streams." 
Only  the  yellow  perch  is  by  preference  a  fish  of  the  small  lakes  rather 
than  of  the  streams. 

This  perch  is  gregarious  and  may  usually  be  found  in  schools. 

"Perch,  like  the  Tartar  clans,  in  troops  remove, 
And,  urged  by  famine  or  by  pleasure,  rove; 
But  if  one  prisoner,  as  in  war,  you  seize, 
You'll  prosper,  master  of  the  camp  with  ease; 
For,  like  the  wicked,  unalarmed  they  view 
Their  fellows  perish,  and  their  path  pursue." 

Artificial  propagation,  in  the  full  sense  of  the  term,  has  not  been 
attempted  with  the  yellow  perch,  but  mature  fish  have  been  placed  in 
aquariums  and  their  naturally  fertilized  eggs  hatched.  The  eggs  are 
arranged  in  a  very  interesting  manner,  being  laid  in  a  single  mass, 
which  soon  unfolds  into  a  ribbon-like  structure.  The  length  of 
this  string  is  very  great,  sometimes  exceeding  7  feet.  One  yellow 
perch  in  a  Fish  Commission  aquarium  at  Washington  deposited  a  string 
of  eggs  7  feet  4  inches  long,  4  inches  wide  at  one  end  and  2  at  the 
other.  After  being  fertilized  this  string  weighed  2  pounds  9  ounces, 
while  the  weight  of  the  fish  before  the  eggs  were  discharged  was  only 
i  pound  8  ounces.  The  eggs  are  very  small,  measuring  only  -^  inch  in 
diameter,  and  requiring  28,000  to  the  quart.  At  Washington  the  spawn- 
ing-time extends  from  the  middle  of  March  to  the  middle  of  April. 

Through  the  various  fish  commissions  the  yellow  perch  has  been  in- 
troduced quite  successfully  into  a  number  of  small  lakes  in  Washing- 
ton, Oregon,  and  California. 

Colour  on  back,  olivaceous;  sides  golden  yellow;  belly  white;  side 
with  about  6  or  8  broad  dark  bars,  which  extend  from  back  to  below 
axis  of  body ;  lower  fins  largely  red  or  orange,  especially  in  the  spring; 
upper  fins  olivaceous;  a  distinct  black  spot  sometimes  present  on  spi- 
nous  dorsal.  The  colour  varies  greatly:  the  yellow  is  sometimes  very 
bright,  at  other  times  quite  pale;  and  the  black  bars  are  much  stronger 
in  some  waters  than  in  others.  There  is  also  frequently  a  greenish, 
sometimes  coppery,  reddish  or  purplish  wash  on  head  and  sides; 
sometimes  in  mature  breeding  fish  the  lower  fins  are  very  brilliantly  red. 

367 


THE  ROBALOS 

Family  XLVIL     Centropomidce 

BODY  elongate,  back  considerably  elevated,  the  ventral  outline 
straight,  angulated  at  the  anal  fin;  scales  ctenoid,  varying  in  size; 
lateral  line  conspicuous,  extending  on  caudal  fin;  head  depressed, 
pike-like,  the  lower  jaw  projecting;  villiform  teeth,  in  bands,  on  jaws, 
vomer,  and  palatines;  tongue  smooth;  maxillary  broad,  truncate 
behind,  with  a  strong  supplemental  bone;  pseudobranchiae  small; 
preopercle  with  a  double  ridge,  the  posterior  margin  strongly  serrate, 
with  larger  spines  at  the  angle;  preorbital  and  suprascapular  serrated; 
opercle  without  true  spines;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  first  with 
8  spines,  the  first  and  second  short,  the  third  and  fourth  longest;  anal 
with  3  spines,  the  second  strong,  the  third  long  and  slender;  these  fins 
moving  in  scaly  sheaths;  caudal  forked;  air-bladder  well  developed. 

This  family  contains  one  genus  with  about  1 5  species,  all  American, 
and  most  of  them  game-fishes  and  of  moderate  food-value.  The  spe- 
cies are  all  of  salt  or  brackish  water,  and  their  habits  resemble  those 
of  the  basses,  as  their  common  name,  robalo,  indicates,  robalo  being 
the  Spanish  name  for  the  European  bass.  The  majority  of  the  spe- 
cies are  of  little  value  as  food,  the  flesh  being  coarse  and  with  little 
flavour. 

Centropomus  mridis,  the  Pacific  robalo,  occurs  from  Panama 
northward  to  Lower  California.  It  is  in  most  parts  of  its  range  a 
common  fish,  reaching  a  length  of  2  to  4  feet,  and  is  valued  somewhat 
as  a  food-fish. 

Colour,  greenish  on  back;  sides  dull  silvery;  upper  fins  dusky, 
lower  ones  paler;  ventrals  plain  yellowish,  scarcely  dotted  with 
dusky;  no  yellow  on  other  fins;  lateral  line  black;  some  dusky  at 
base  of  pectoral  and  behind  second  anal  spine. 

C.  undecimalis,  the  common  robalo  or  snook,  is  the  best-known 
species  of  the  family,  as  well  as  the  largest  and  most  abundant. 
It  is  common  on  sandy  shores  throughout  the  West  Indies,  and  from 
Florida  to  Surinam.  It  occurs  at  Key  West  and  is  common  about 
Porto  Rico,  entering  the  lower  courses  of  the  rivers,  where  it  is 
sought  by  the  local  anglers.  It  attains  a  length  of  3  or  4  feet,  though 
examples  of  that  size  are  not  frequent;  those  usually  taken  or  seen  in 
the  markets  rarely  exceed  2  feet  in  length.  The  flesh  is  white  and 

368 


The  Robalos 

flaky,  and  in  Porto  Rico  is  highly  esteemed  as  food,  but  at  Key  West  it 
is  little  valued. 


We  have  never  taken  the  snook  with  the  fly  or  on  the  hook,  but  it 
is  said  to  take  the  hook  readily  and  even  to  rise  to  the  fly.  We  have 
been  told  that  the  army  and  navy  officers  stationed  at  San  Juan,  Porto 
Rico,  have  good  sport  trolling  for  robalos  in  the  mouths  of  the  rivers 
along  the  north  side  of  the  island. 

C.  parallelus  is  known  only  from  Cuba,  Santo  Domingo,  Porto 
Rico,  and  Pernambuco.  It  enters  rivers  and  lakes  and  may  be  found 
long  distances  from  salt  water.  In  Porto  Rico  it  ascends  the  larger 
streams  well  toward  the  interior  of  the  island.  It  reaches  a  foot  in 
length,  is  a  good  food-fish,  and  possesses  some  game  qualities.  In 
Porto  Rico  it  is  sought  by  the  local  anglers  in  the  lower  parts  of  the 
Rio  de  la  Plata,  the  Manati,  and  the  Rio  Grande  de  Arecibo. 


369 


THE  SEA-BASS 

Family  XLVllL     Serranidce 

BODY  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with  adherent 
scales  of  moderate  or  small  size,  which  are  usually  but  not  always 
ctenoid;  premaxillaries  protractile;  teeth  all  conical  or  pointed,  in 
bands,  present  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  pseudobranchiae  large; 
gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  cheeks  and  opercles 
always  scaly;  preopercle  usually  serrate;  opercle  usually  ending  in  i 
or  2  flat  spines;  nostrils  double;  lateral  line  single,  not  extending  on 
the  caudal  fin ;  air-bladder  present,  usually  small  and  adherent  to  the 
walls  of  the  abdomen. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  important 
families  of  fishes.  It  contains  about  75  genera  and  over  400  species, 
all  carnivorous  fishes,  mostly  marine,  and  found  in  all  warm  and  tem- 
perate seas.  Several  genera  are  found  in  fresh  water.  In  our  waters 
are  found  29  genera  and  about  100  species,  nearly  all  of  which  are  more 
or  less  valued  as  food.  Only  a  few,  however,  are  sufficiently  abundant 
or  of  sufficient  size  to  justify  detailed  descriptions  in  this  work. 

a.  Dorsal  fins  2,  sometimes  slightly  joined. 

b.  Dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  spines  rather  weak;  anal  III,  12,  the 

spines  graduated;  lower  jaw  projecting;  base  of  tongue  with 
teeth Roccus,  972 

bb.  Dorsal  fins  joined,  the  spines  strong;  anal  III,  9,  the  spines   not 
graduated;  jaws  subequal;  no  teeth  on  base  of  tongue. 

Morone,  376 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  single,  sometimes  deeply  divided. 

c.  Maxillary  with  a  distinct  supplemental  bone. 

d.  Inner  teeth  of  jaws  not  depressible  or  hinged. 

e.  Soft  dorsal  longer  than  spinous  part;  vertebrae  10+14  =  24. 

/.  Dorsal  spines  9 ;  caudal  lunate Lwpropoma. 

ff.  Dorsal  spines  6;  caudal  truncate Chorististium. 

ee.  Soft  dorsal  shorter  than  spinous  part;  vertebrae  2 5  to  36. 
g.  Head  not  armed  with  spinigerous  ridges;  dorsal  fin  deeply  notched. 

Stereolepis,  377 
gg.  Head  armed  with  rough  spinigerous  crests;  dorsal  tin  low  and 

continuous  Polyprion. 

dd.  Inner  teeth  of  jaws  depressible  or  hinged. 

h.  Pectoral  unsymmetrical,  its  upper  rays  longest.  .Gonioplectrus. 

hh.  Pectoral  symmetrical,  rounded,  its  middle  rays  longest. 

370 


The  Sea-bass 

/'.  Frontal  bone  of  skull  with  a  transverse  ridge  on  posterior  part. 

Petrometopon,  380 
ii.  Frontal  bone  of  skull  without  transverse  ridge. 

/  Dorsal  spines  9 Centropholis. 

jj.  Dorsal  spines  1 1,  rarely  10  but  never  9. 

k.  Parietal  crests  not  produced  forward  on  the  frontals. 

/.  Scales  of  lateral  line  normal,  marked  by  radiating  ridges. 

m.  Cranium  narrow  above  the  interorbital  space  and  deeply  concave; 

occipital  crest  meeting  interorbital  region Epinepbelus,  381 

mm.  Cranium  very  broad  and  flat  above,  the  interorbital  little  concave, 

the  occipital  crest  disappearing  before  reaching  the  interorbital 

region Garrupa,  386 

//.  Scales  of  lateral  line  each  with  4  to  6  strong,  radiating  ridges. 

Promicrops,  387 

kk.  Parietal  crests  produced  forward  on  the  frontals. 
11.  Frontals  with  a  process  or  knob  on  each  side  behind  the  interorbital 

area;  anal  rays  III,  8,  rarely  III,  9. 
o.  Preopercle  with  a  single  antrorse  hook  or  spine  near  the  angle. 

Alpbestes,  388 

oo.  Preopercle  without  antrorse  spine Dermatolepis,  389 

nn.  Frontals  without  processes  on  the  upper  surface;  anal  rays  III,  1 1 

or  12,  very  rarely  III,  9  or  10 Mycteroperca. 

cc.  Maxillary  without  supplemental  bone. 

p.  Gill-rakers  comparatively  short   and   wide  apart;  lateral  line   not 

running  close  to  the  back  (except  in  Serranus). 

q.  Ventral  fins  inserted  below  or  more  or  less  behind  axil  of  pectoral. 
r.  Dorsal  fin  with  4  or  5  spines  produced  in  long  filaments. 

Cratinus,  395 
rr.  Dorsal  without  long  filamentous  spines,  not  more  than  one  of  the 

spines  especially  produced. 
s.  Body  short  and  deep,  the  back  elevated,  the  depth  more  than  f  the 

length ;  preopercle  with  a  few  antrorse  serrae  on  its  lower  limb. 

Hypoplectrus,  395 
ss.  Body  comparatively  elongate,  the  depth  |  to  %  the   length;  no 

hooked  spinules  on  lower  limb  of  opercle Paralabrax,  395 

qq.  Ventral  fins  anterior,  inserted  more  or  less  in  advance  of  axil  of 

pectoral. 

/.  Smooth  area  on  top  of  head  very  short  and  small,  as  seen  on  remov- 
ing skin;   caudal  fin  not  lunate,  but  rounded  or  ending  in  3 

points Centropristes,  397 

//.  Smooth   area   on   top   of  head  very  large;    caudal  fin   lunate   or 

truncate Diplectrum,  398 

pp.  Gill-rakers  very  long,  slender,  and  close-set;   lateral  line  running 

close  to  back  .  ,  , . .  Parantbias. 


The  Striped  Bass 


GENUS  ROCCUS   {MITCHILL 

The  Striped  Bass 

Body  rather  elongate;  scales  smooth;  spines  slender;  base  of 
tongue  with  i  or  2  patches  of  teeth;  anal  spines  graduated;  dorsal  fins 
entirely  separate;  anal  rays  III,  n  or  12;  lower  jaw  projecting.  Only 
2  species,  both  American  and  both  valued  food-fishes. 

a.  Teeth  on  base  of  tongue  in  a  single  patch ;  body  rather  deep  and 
compressed,  the  depth  more  than  ^  the  length;  back  arched. 

chrysops,  372 

aa.  Teeth  on  base  of  tongue  in  2  parallel  patches;  body  rather  slender, 
the  depth  less  than  £  the  length;  back  not  arched. 

lineatus,  373 


White  Bass;    White  Lake  Bass 

Roccus  chrysops  (Rafinesque) 

The  white  bass  is  found  throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region  from 
the  St.  Lawrence  to  Manitoba,  and  south  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  to 
the  Ouachita  River  in  Arkansas.  It  is  generally  abundant  in  the  Great 
Lakes,  rare  in  the  Mississippi  basin,  and  not  found  at  all  east  of  the 
Alleghenies.  It  does  not  occur  in  salt  water,  but  frequents  the  deep, 
still  waters  of  the  lakes,  seldom  ascending  small  streams.  It  reaches 
a  length  of  a  foot  to  18  inches  and  a  weight  of  i  to  2  pounds. 
It  is  a  good  food-fish  and  ranks  well  as  a  game-fish.  It  readily  takes 
the  hook  when  baited  with  grub,  angleworm,  or  small  minnow, 

372  ' 


SAUGER,  Stizostedion  canadense 
Photographed  at  Pan-American  from  specimen  from  Lake  Erie 


WHITE  BASS,  Roccus  chrysops 


Striped  Bass  ;   Rockfish  ;   Rock 

and  will  rise  to  the  fly.  Thaddeus  Norris  tells  about  fly-fishing  for 
the  white  bass  many  years  ago  with  a  young  army  officer  near  Detroit. 
They  met  with  indifferent  success  until  they  tried  the  mouth  of  a  small 
creek  on  the  Canadian  side,  where  they  caught  25  fish  in  a  short  time. 
They  later  discovered  they  had  been  fishing  in  preserved  waters. 
The  Canadian  owner  of  the  land  through  which  the  creek  flowed  was 
in  the  habit  of  seining  the  fish  out  of  the  river  and  retaining  them  in 
the  creek  (across  the  mouth  of  which  he  had  placed  netting)  until  the 
market  price  was  high  enough  to  please  him. 

Body  rather  deep  and  compressed,  the  back  considerably  arched; 
head  subconical,  slightly  depressed  at  the  nape;  mouth  moderate, 
nearly  horizontal,  the  lower  jaw  little  projecting;  maxillary  reaching 
middle  of  pupil,  2f  in  head;  teeth  on  base  of  tongue  in  a  single  patch, 
a  patch  also  on  each  side  of  tongue;  margin  of  subopercle  with  a  deep 
notch ;  head  scaled  to  between  the  nostrils ;  preopercular  serrae  feeble, 
strongest  at  the  angle;  gill-rakers  rather  long  and  slender,  as  long  as 
the  gill-fringes;  longest  dorsal  spine  2  in  head;  anal  spines  graduated, 
the  second  |  length  of  head;  middle  caudal  rays  if  in  outer. 

Colour,  silvery,  tinged  with  golden  below;  sides  with  narrow 
dusky  lines,  about  5  above  the  lateral  line,  i  along  it,  and  a  variable 
number  below  it,  these  sometimes  more  or  less  interrupted  or  trans- 
posed. 


Striped  Bass;  Rockfish;  Rock 

Roccus  lineatus  (Bloch) 

"  The  stately  Bass,  old  Neptune's  fleeting  Post 
That  tides  it  out  and  in  from  sea  to  coast." 

—  Wood,  New  England's  Prospect  (1634). 

The  striped  bass  occurs  on  our  Atlantic  coast  north  to  the  St. 
Lawrence  River  and  south  to  the  Escambia  River  in  western  Florida. 

373 


Striped  Bass  ;   Rockfish  ;  Rock 

It  is  rather  rare  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  is  most  common 
between  Cape  May  and  Cape  Cod  and  on  the  North  Carolina  coast. 
It  is  particularly  abundant  in  the  great  estuaries  and  open  stretches  of 
large  rivers.  It  is  strictly  an  anadromous  fish,  living  chiefly  in  salt 
or  brackish  water  and  entering  fresh  water  only  at  spawning-time. 
It  ascends  the  Potomac  to  the  Great  Falls,  and  the  other  rivers  of  the 
Middle  States  until  it  meets  obstructions.  In  the  St.  Lawrence  it 
reaches  Quebec  at  least,  and  there  is  a  record  of  an  example  taken  in 
the  Niagara  River  at  Lewiston,  but  this  may  have  been  a  rnisidentifica- 
tion  of  the  white  bass.  , 

The  great  abundance  of  the  striped  bass  excited  the  wonder  of  the 
early  colonists. 

"The  Basse  is  an  excellent  fish,  both  fresh  &  salte,  one  hundred 
whereof  salted  (at  market)  have  yielded  5  pounds.  They  are  so  large, 
the  head  of  one  will  give  a  good  eater  a  dinner,  &  for  daintinesse  of 
diet  they  excell  the  Marybones  of  Beefe.  There  are  such  multitudes 
that  I  have  scene  stopped  in  the  river  close  adjoining  to  my  house  with 
a  sande  at  one  tide  so  many  as  will  loade  a  ship  of  100  tonnes.  I  my- 
selfe,  at  the  turning  of  the  tyde  have  scene  such  multitudes  pass  out  of 
a  pounde  that  it  seemed  to  me  that  one  mighte  go  over  their  backs 
drishod."  So  wrote  Captain  John  Smith;  but  as  his  veracity  has  been 
questioned  in  other  matters,  it  is  well  to  give  collateral  testimony. 
One  of  Smith's  contemporary  divines  wrote:  "There  is  a  Fish  called 
a  Basse,  a  most  sweet  &  wholesome  Fish  as  ever  I  did  eat;  it  is  alto- 
gether as  good  as  our  fresh  Sammon  &  the  season  of  their  comming 
was  begun  when  we  came  first  to  New  England  in  June  and  so  con- 
tinued about  three  months  space.  Of  this  Fish  our  Fishers  take  many 
hundreds  together,  which  I  have  scene  lying  on  the  shore  to  my  ad- 
miration; yea,  their  Netts  ordinarily  take  more  than  they  are  able  to 
hall  to  Land." 

Near  Norfolk,  Virginia,  1500  have  been  taken  at  a  single  set  of  the 
seine.  At  one  haul  600  were  taken  that  averaged  80  pounds  each. 
Dr.  W.  R.  Capehart  of  Edenton,  North  Carolina,  has  for  many  years 
had  the  most  important  striped  bass  fishery  on  our  coast.  During  the 
shad  and  herring  season  the  striped  bass  appear  in  great  numbers 
at  the  head  of  Albemarle  Sound,  where  many  marvelous  catches 
have  been  made.  At  one  time  about  30,000  pounds  were  taken 
at  one  haul.  Many  of  these  weighed  75  to  85  pounds  each.  At 
another  haul  820  fish  weighing  37,000  pounds  were  taken.  Among 


374 


Striped  Bass;   Rockfish;  Rock 

these  were  many  of  65  pounds,  many  of  85  pounds,  and  a  few  of 
90  pounds.  In  6  hours'  fishing  50,000  pounds  were  taken  May  6, 
1876. 

On  May  6,  1896,  38,000  pounds  of  rockfish  were  landed  at  one  haul. 
Among  them  were  about  600  fish  that  averaged  60  pounds  each, 
and  several  that  weighed  105  pounds  each.  The  roe  of  one  fish 
weighed  44  pounds. 

Some  very  large  fish  have  been  reported.  Dr.  Henshall  saw  one 
weighed  in  Baltimore  which  tipped  the  beam  at  more  than  100 
pounds;  one  taken  at  Cuttyhunk  weighed  104  pounds;  and  Dr. 
Goode  records  an  example  caught  at  Orleans  which  weighed  112 
pounds  and  which  must  have  been  6  feet  long.  The  average  of  those 
seen  in  the  Washington  market  now  does  not  exceed  5  pounds. 

Though  the  striped  bass  has  undoubtedly  decreased  greatly  in 
abundance  during  the  century,  it  is  still  an  abundant  fish.  The  catch 
on  our  Atlantic  coast  for  1897  amounted  to  nearly  one  and  a  half 
million  pounds,  valued  at  $128,000. 

The  splendid  results  of  the  artificial  propagation  of  useful  food- 
fishes  are  clearly  and  indisputably  shown  by  the  fate  of  the  striped 
bass  on  the  Pacific  coast,  where  it  was  planted  by  the  United  States 
and  California  fish  commissions  a  few  years  ago.  The  fish  was  not 
native  to  those  waters,  and  all  striped  bass  now  found  there  are  the 
descendants  of  those  artificially  planted.  The  few  fish  put  in  those 
waters  thrived  exceedingly,  and  for  several  years  past  the  catch  has 
been  very  large.  In  1899  it  aggregated  1,234,320  pounds,  valued  at 
$61,814. 

As  a  food-fish  the  striped  bass  is  one  of  the  very  best;  as  a  game- 
fish  there  is  none  better.  Frank  Forester  calls  it  "a  gallant  fish  and 
a  bold  biter";  and  Genio  Scott  says  it  is  his  favourite  of  all  American 
game-fishes. 

All  the  published  works  on  fishing  in  America  describe  the  various 
methods  by  which  anglers  capture  this  noble  fish,  and  we  shall  not 
take  space  to  repeat  them  here. 

Colour,  olivaceous,  silvery,  often  brassy-tinged;  sides  paler, 
marked  with  about  7  or  8  continuous  or  somewhat  interrupted  black- 
ish stripes,  one  of  them  along  the  lateral  line;  fins  all  pale. 

The  rockfish  may  be  easily  distinguished  from  the  white  bass, 
which  it  most  resembles,  by  its  having  2  patches  of  teeth  on  its 
tongue  instead  of  i,  and  in  not  having  the  back  arched. 


375 


The  White  Perches 


The  White   Perches 

This  genus  differs  from  Roccus  chiefly  in  having  the  dorsal  fins 
joined,  the  spines  stronger,  the  anal  rays  III,  9  (instead  of  III,  12),  the 
spines  not  graduated,  the  jaws  subequal,  and  no  teeth  on  base  of 
tongue.  In  all  other  important  respects  the  2  genera  agree. 

The  2  known  species  are  both  American  and  both  excellent  game- 
and  food-fishes. 

a.  Body  with  7  very  distinct  longitudinal  black  lines  on  side,  each  in- 
terrupted posteriorly interrupta,  376 

aa.  Colour,  green  or  olivaceous,  and  silvery,  with  faint  streaks. 

americana,  377 

Yellow  Bass 

Morone  interrupta   Gill 

This  handsome  fish  is  found  in  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley  and 
north  to  St.  Louis  and  Cincinnati.  It  occurs  also  in  certain  waters  in 
northern  Indiana,  notably  Tippecanoe,  Eagle,  Pike,  Center,  and  Chap- 
man lakes  in  Kosciusko  County,  and  in  Eel  River  at  Logansport,  from 
which  place  we  have  recently  examined  a  specimen.  Thirty  years  ago 
they  were  very  abundant  in  the  small  lakes  mentioned,  and  even  now 
a  few  are  caught  every  year,  usually  best  after  a  June  freshet. 

This  species  reaches  a  foot  to  18  inches  in  length  and  a  weight  of 
5  pounds.  Those  usually  seen  do  not  exceed  i  to  2  pounds,  though 
examples  of  3  pounds  are  not  rare.  It  is  a  splendid  game-fish,  even 
superior  to  the  black  bass,  in  the  opinion  of  some  of  its  admirers;  and 
as  a  pan-fish  it  takes  very  high  rank. 

Head  3;  depth  2|;  snout  4^;  eye  4^;  D.  X,  12;  A.  Ill,  9  or  10; 
scales  7-50  to  54-1 1.  Body  oblong-ovate,  the  back  much  arched;  head 
depressed,  the  snout  somewhat  pointed,  the  anterior  profile  concave; 
eye  large;  preorbital  finely  serrate;  mouth  small,  somewhat  oblique, 
maxillary  reaching  middle  of  eye,  about  3  in  head,  somewhat  scaly; 
dorsal  and  anal  spines  stout. 

Colour  in  life,  brassy  yellow,  with  about  7  very  distinct  black  lon- 
gitudinal lines,  those  below  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly,  the  pos- 
terior parts  alternating  with  the  anterior. 

376 


STRIPED  BASS  OR  ROCKFISH,  Roccus  lineatus 


YELLOW  BASS,  Morone  interrupta 


White  Perch 

White  Perch 

Morone  americana   (Gmelin) 

"  Nor  let  the  Muse,  in  her  award  of  fame,, 
Illustrious  Perch,  unnoticed  pass  thy  claim. 
Prince  of  the  prickly  cohort,  bred  in  lakes, 
To  feast  our  boards,  what  sapid  boneless  flakes 
Thy  solid  flesh  supplies!  though  overfed, 
No  daintier  fish  in  ocean's  pastures  bred 
Swims  thy  compeer." 

— Ausonius. 

This  well-known  fish  is  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  America 
from  the  Carolinas  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  It  thrives  in  fresh, 
brackish,  and  salt  water,  but  is  somewhat  anadromous,  ascending 
freshwater  streams.  It  is  frequently  landlocked  in  coastal  ponds, 
where  it  becomes  purely  a  freshwater  fish.  It  is  found  in  the  lower 
portions  of  nearly  all  the  streams  from  Maine  to  the  Carolinas,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  popular  of  game-fishes.  It  takes  the  fly  readily, 
though  it  will  not  leave  the  water  to  do  so,  and  angleworms,  grass- 
hoppers, and  small  minnows  are  irresistible.  As  a  game-fish  it  should 
hold,  as  it  does  in  some  places,  a  very  high  rank.  It  bites  vigorously, 
and  as  a  mad  rusher,  it  is  not  surpassed.  And  as  a  pan-fish  many  re- 
gard it  as  the  best  among  all  our  fishes.  The  only  exception  we  feel 
disposed  to  make  is  the  yellow  perch. 

Colour,  olivaceous,  varying  to  dark  green ;  sides  silvery  or  oliva- 
ceous, usually  with  faint  paler  longitudinal  streaks. 


GENUS  STEREOLEPIS  AY  RES 

The  Jewfishes 

This  genus,  characterized  by  the  short,  soft  dorsal,  the  absence  of 
spiny  ridges  on  the  head,  and  the  continuous  but  deeply  notched 
dorsal  fin,  contains  one  American  species,  the  California  jewfish  or 
black  sea-bass, 

Stereolepis  gigas 

This  huge  fish  is  found  on  the  coast  of  southern  California  and 
north  to  the  Farallones.  It  is  most  abundant  about  Santa  Catalina, 

377 


The  Jewfishes 

where  it  is  one  of  the  really  great  game-fishes  taken  at  that  most 
famous  anglers'  resort,  and  Professor  Chas.  F.  Holder  has  written 
entertainingly  of  this  wonderful  fish.  He  says  the  "jewfish  is  a  bot- 
tom feeder,  and  is  fished  for  on  the  edge  of  the  kelp  in  30  or  40  feet  of 
water.  The  strike  comes  as  a  nibble,  but  when  hooked  the  fish  is 
away  with  a  rush  that  has  been  known  to  demoralize  experienced 
anglers.  My  largest  fish,  weighing  276  pounds,  was  taken  in  a  boat 
or  skiff  which  weighed  125  pounds,  and  I  was  repeatedly  almost 
jerked  overboard  by  the  struggles  of  the  bass.  When  it  was  gaffed  it 
jerked  the  gaff  from  my  hands  a  score  of  times.  It  was  impossible  to 
take  it  aboard,  so  we  towed  it  five  miles  to  port,  well  illustrating  how 
delightful  the  most  arduous  labour  becomes  when  dignified  by  the 
term  sport.  I  have  seen  a  2OO-pound  fish  snap  the  largest  shark-line 
like  a  thread,  and  large  specimens  straighten  out  an  iron  shark-hook; 
yet  the  skilled  wielders  of  the  rod  catch  these  giants  of  the  tribe  with 
a  line  that  is  not  larger  than  some  eye-glass  cords." 

Professor  Holder's  experience  with  his  first  California  jewfish  is 
worth  repeating: 

"The  anchor  was  tossed  over,  the  rope  ran  merrily  out,  and  the 
hook,  baited  with  a  6-pound  whitefish,  went  hissing  down  to  the  big 
submerged  rock. 

"  'Sometimes  he  bite,  sometimes  he  don't,'  remarked  Joe;  'but 
whether  he  do  or  not,  we  have  the  fishin'  all  the  same.'  And  he 
looked  at  me  inquiringly,  to  see  if  I  was  of  that  variety  of  fishermen 
who  are  never  satisfied  unless  the  fish  are  always  on  the  line.  It  so 
happened  that  I  found  pleasure  in  the  mere  anticipation;  and  we  sat 
silent  for  half  an  hour,  I  holding  the  throbbing  line  that  the  ebbing  tide 
played  upon  as  the  string  of  a  musical  instrument.  ...  I  glanced  at  my 
companion,  and  was  wondering  if  in  his  veins  ran  the  blood  of  the 
Aztecs  or  of  the  Indians  whom  Cabrillo  and  others  found  here  centuries 
ago  when  Santa  Catalina  was  an  empire  in  itself  and  owned  by  them, 
when  suddenly  I  became  aware  that  the  tension  of  the  line  I  held  had 
increased  to  a  steady  pull ;  then  came  a  jerk  that  carried  my  hand  into 
the  water. 

"'Jewfish,  sure!'  whispered  Joe,  awakened  from  his  reverie  by 
my  exclamation,  'Slack!' 

"I  paid  out  the  line,  while  he  seized  the  anchor-line  and  made 
ready  to  haul  up. 

"  'Give  him  10  feet,  and  then  hook!'  were  my  orders. 

"I  was  an  old  shark  fisherman,  having  caught  many  of  these  mon- 

yft 


The  Jewfishes 

sters  in  the  Mexican  Gulf,  and  had  taken  a  Florida  jewfish  and  a  tar- 
pon; and  I  saw  that  work  of  a  similar  kind  was  before  me  in  this 
fishing.  The  line  jerked  heavily  in  my  hand,  then  began  to  run  out 
steadily.  When  about  6  feet  had  gone  over  the  gunwale  I  stopped, 
gave  a  glance  at  the  coil  to  see  that  all  was  clear,  and  when  the  line 
came  taut  jerked  the  hook  into  my  first  jewfish. 

"  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  latter  was  astonished,  as 
for  a  single  second  there  was  no  response;  then  came  a  jerk  that  almost 
lifted  me  from  the  boat,  and  the  line  went  hissing  over  the  rail  like  a 
living  thing,  playing  a  merry  hornpipe  of  its  own  composition.  Nothing 
could  stop  such  a  rush,  and  I  simply  waited,  while  Joe  pulled  up  the 
anchor.  When  the  latter  was  in,  I  grasped  the  line  and  braced  back 
for  the  fight.  The  light  boat  whirled  around  like  a  top,  and  away  we 
went,  like  a  tug  surging  through  the  water,  an  ominous  wave  of  foam 
rising  high  around  the  bow. 

"  A  lofoot  shark  never  pulled  harder  than  this  gamy  fish,  and  for 
5  minutes  it  was  a  question  who  was  master.  I  took  it  in  with  the 
greatest  difficulty,  gaining  10  feet,  only  to  have  the  fish  rush  toward 
me  and  then  dash  away  with  an  impetus  that  was  more  than  irresistible. 
Then  I  would  stop  him  again,  slowly  making  foot  by  foot,  hand  over 
hand,  taking  a  turn  on  the  cleat,  slacking  and  pulling,  in  attempts  to 
tire  the  monster  —  tactics  that  for  a  while  were  of  no  avail. 

"One  of  the  tricks  of  this  fish  was  to  stop  and  jerk  his  head  from 
side  to  side  violently,  a  proceeding  that  produced  an  effect  equivalent 
to  striking  blows  at  the  holder  of  the  line  —  tremendous  jerks  that 
came,  one,  two,  three!  then  one,  two,  three! — then  the  line  would 
slacken  as  the  fish  rushed  up.  And  if  I  took  the  line  in  quickly  enough 
to  prevent  a  turn,  well  and  good;  if  I  did  not,  the  fish  would  turn  and 
dash  at  the  bottom,  making  everything  hum  and  sing. 

"Giving  and  taking,  hauling  and  easing  off,  for  20  minutes,  I  was 
almost  satisfied  that  I  had  done  my  whole  duty  in  the  premises,  when 
suddenly  the  fish  rushed  up,  and  recovering,  I  took  in  slack,  and  with 
a  final  effort  brought  the  black  giant  to  the  surface.  For  a  moment  I 
saw  a  pair  of  eyes  as  large  as  those  of  an  ox,  a  rich  chestnut  black,  and 
then,  with  a  tremendous  heave,  the  fish  threw  itself  over,  deluging  me 
with  water  and  half  capsizing  the  boat.  It  was  the  last  struggle.  I 
kept  my  hold,  and  with  another  haul  had  the  king  of  Pacific  coast  fishes 
at  hand's-length,  where  it  rolled  and  tossed,  its  huge  tail  bathing  us 
with  spray,  protesting  against  its  capture. 

"  What  a  wonderful  creature  it  was!     The  experience  of  the  mo- 

379 


The  Enjambres 

ment,  the  sensations,  could  not  have  been  purchased.  It  was  worth 
going  a  long  way  to  accomplish.  Imagine,  you  casters  of  the  black- 
bass  fly,  a  small-mouthed  black  bass  lengthened  out  to  6  feet,  bulky 
in  proportion,  a  giant  black  bass, —  one  that  you  would  dream  about 
after  a  good  day's  fishing,—  almost  a  facsimile  of  the  5-pounder  you 
have  taken  pride  in,  but  increased  to  a  size  that  tips  the  scales  at  347 
pounds!  Imagine  this,  and  you  have  the  jewfish,  black  sea-bass,  or 
Stereolepis  gigas,  of  the  Pacific  coast  —  a  noble  fish,  a  gamy  fellow, 
especially  adapted  to  the  man  who  desires  animated  dumb-bells,  or 
who,  sedentary  in  his  habits,  requires  violent  exercise  combined  with 
much  excitement. 

"It  has  always  been  doubted  that  a  large  jewfish  could  be  taken  on 
a  rod;  but  during  the  summer  of '94  I  went  to  the  jewfish  grounds  one 
August  day  with  Major  Charles  Viele  of  the  United  States  army,  and 
watched  him  bring  a  jewfish  of  158  pounds'  weight  to  terms,  on  a 
Tufts-Lyon  yellowtail  rod  of  16  ounces  and  a  No.  21  Cuttyhunk  line, 
in  just  2|  hours!  The  struggle  was  most  exciting,  and  a  fine  exhibi- 
tion of  skill  on  the  part  of  the  fisherman.  We  had  struck  a  school  of 
these  giants  at  Silver  Canon,  and  had  we  been  well  equipped  could 
have  brought  in  6  or  7.  As  it  was  we  towed  in  3 —  i  of  158  pounds, 
i  of  227  pounds,  and  a  small  one  of  100  pounds." 


GENUS  PETROMETOPON  GILL 

The  Enjambres 

This  genus  is  close  to  Epinephelus,  from  which  it  differs  in  the 
absence  of  processes  and  longitudinal  ridges  on  upper  surface  of  the 
frontals;  a  curved  or  angular  ridge  across  the  posterior  portion  of 
the  frontals  in  front  of  the  supraoccipital,  connecting  the  parietal 
crests. 

There  are  in  our  waters  3  species,  only  i  being  of  much  value  as 
food.  This  is  the  cony  or  red  hind,  Petrometopon  cruentatus. 

This  beautiful  fish  ranges  from  Florida  and  the  West  Indies  to 
Brazil.  It  is  common  about  Cuba  and  Jamaica,  but  appears  to  be  rare 
about  Porto  Rico.  At  Key  West,  where  it  is  called  cony,  it  is 
rather  common  about  the  reefs.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and  is  a 
good  food-fish.  It  takes  the  hook  readily,  and  is  a  very  active  little 
fish. 

380 


WHITE  PERCH,  Morone  americana 


CONEY,  Petrometopon  cruentatus 


The  Groupers 

Head  2|;  depth  2f;  eye  5!;  D.  IX,  14  or  15;  A.  Ill,  8;  scales 
8-85  to  95-30,  about  50  to  55  pores.  Body  oblong,  rather  deep  and 
compressed,  its  width  2\  in  its  greatest  depth;  head  moderate,  a  little 
acute  anteriorly,  the  profile  nearly  straight  from  snout  to  nape,  where 
it  is  rather  convex;  mouth  rather  large,  maxillary  extending  some- 
what beyond  eye,  \\  in  head;  lower  jaw  not  strongly  projecting; 
teeth  in  narrow  bands,  the  depressible  teeth  of  the  inner  series  very 
long  and  slender,  longer  than  in  any  other  of  our  species,  those  of  the 
lower  jaw  and  front  of  upper  especially  enlarged,  longer  than  the 
small,  subequal  canines;  interorbital  space  narrow,  with  a  median  de- 
pression, its  width  7  in  head;  preopercle  convex,  very  weakly  serrate; 
opercle  with  3  distinct  spines;  nostrils  small,  subequal;  scales  rather 
large,  mostly  strongly  ctenoid;  dorsal  spines  slender  and  pungent, 
the  fourth  and  fifth  highest,  3f  in  head;  caudal  very  convex,  the  mid- 
dle rays  longest;  anal  rounded. 

Colour  in  life,  livid  reddish  gray,  paler  below;  spots  vermilion,  usu- 
ally darker  posteriorly,  larger  anteriorly. 

The  brown  hind  may  be  merely  a  colour  variety  of  the  cony. 


GENUS  EPINEPHELUS  BLOCH 

The  Groupers 

This  is  one  of  the  most  important  genera  of  American  fishes. 

Body  stout,  compressed,  covered  with  small,  ctenoid  scales  which 
are  often  embedded  in  the  skin ;  scales  of  lateral  line  triangular,  cycloid ; 
soft  parts  of  vertical  fins  generally  more  or  less  scaly;  cranium  narrow 
above;  preopercle  moderately  serrate  behind,  its  lower  limb  entire, 
without  distinct  antrorse  spine;  opercle  with  2  strong  spines;  nostrils 
well  separated;  mouth  large;  maxillary  large,  with  a  well-developed 
supplemental  bone, 'its  surface  usually  with  small  scales;  canine  teeth 
few,  those  in  front  large;  enlarged  teeth  of  inner  series  in  each  jaw 
depressible;  gill-rakers  short  and  rather  few;  caudal  fin  rounded  or 
lunate;  pectorals  rounded,  shortish;  ventrals  moderate,  inserted  below 
pectorals,  close  together,  each  with  a  strong  spine. 

Species  numerous,  most  of  them  of  large  size,  abounding  in  all 
tropical  seas,  and  all  highly  valued  as  food.  The  species  all  possess 
some  game  qualities,  and,  on  account  of  their  large  size  and  fighting 
qualities,  afford  real  sport  in  their  capture.  In  our  waters  about  a 
dozen  species  are  known. 

381 


The  Groupers 

a.  Nostrils  unequal,  the  posterior  much  the  larger,  3  times  diameter  of 

anterior;  pyloric  coeca  numerous mystacinus,   382 

aa.  Nostrils  subequal,  the  posterior  scarcely  the  larger;  pyloric  coeca 
fewer. 

b.  Second  dorsal  spine  shorter  than  third  or  fourth;  caudal  more  or 

less  rounded. 

c.  Dorsal  spines  10 analogus,  382 

cc.  Dorsal  spines  1 1. 

d.  Maxillary  naked. 

e.  Lower  jaw  strongly  projecting. 

/.   Body  and  head  with  red  or  orange  spots adscensionis,  383 

ff.   Body  and  head  reddish  brown,  the  adult  nearly  plain .  .gua^a,  383 

ee.  Lower  jaw  not  prominent labriformis,  383 

dd.  Maxillary  more  or  less  scaly. 

g.  Preopercle  with  a  more  or  less  salient  angle. 

h.  Body  without  orange  or  dark  brown  spots;  vertical  fins  without 

broad  black  margins. 
/'.  Caudal  peduncle  without  black,  saddle-like  blotch  above. 

flayolimbatus,  383 
ii.  Caudal  peduncle  with  a  large,  quadrate,   saddle-like  black  blotch 

above. 
/.   Eye  not   surrounded  by  dark  points;    no  dark  cross-bars;   lower 

jaw  strongly  projecting niveatus,  384 

jj.  Eye  surrounded    by  conspicuous  dark  brown  points;    body  with 

irregular  dark  cross-bars;  lower  jaw  little  projecting. 

striatus,  384 
hh.  Body  covered  with  small  dark  orange  or  brown  spots;  vertical  fins 

broadly  edged  with  blue-black guttatus,  384 

gg.  Preopercle  without  salient  angle dnimmond-hayi,  385 

bb.  Second  dorsal  spine  elevated,  not  shorter  than  third  and  fourth; 

caudal  lunate morio,  385 


Epinephelus  mystacinus,  the  cherna  de  lo  alto,  is  found  among 
the  West  Indies  and  south  to  Brazil,  in  rather  deep  water.  It  reaches 
about  2  feet  in  length,  but  is  not  abundant  enough  to  be  of  much  com- 
mercial importance.  Colour  in  life,  dull  olive-brown  above,  the  body 
grayish  brown,  crossed  by  8  bands  of  dark  olive-brown,  the  one  on 
caudal  peduncle  broadest,  darkest  on  back  of  tail;  a  dark  line  along 
edge  of  maxillary,  and  3  dark  bands  across  cheek;  mouth  bluish  inside. 
E.  analogus,  the  cabrilla  pinta,  is  a  west  coast  species,  known  from 
Panama  and  San  Salvador.  It  is  not  rare,  reaches  a  foot  or  more  in 
length,  and  in  life  is  orange-brown  on  an  olivaceous  ground,  as  in  E. 
adscensionis,  which  this  species  strongly  resembles;  no  distinct  dark 
edgings  to  the  vertical  fins. 

382 


ROCK  HIND,  Epinephelus  adscensionis 


NIGGER  FISH.  Bodianus  fulvus 


Rock-bind ;  Cabra  Mora 

Rock-hind;    Cabra  Mora 

Epinepbelus   adscensionis   (Osbeck) 

This  beautiful  and  important  species  is  known  from  southern 
Florida,  Ascension  and  St.  Helena  islands,  the  West  Indies,  and  to 
Brazil.  It  has  also  been  recorded  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  It 
reaches  a  length  of  18  inches,  is  common  in  rocky  places,  and  is  con- 
sidered the  finest  food-fish  of  the  group. 

Head  2|;  depth  3;  eye  6;  D.  XI,  17;  A.  Ill,  7  or  8;  scales  12-90 
to  110-40,  55  to  60  pores.  Body  rather  robust,  little  compressed,  the 
greatest  thickness  2  in  depth;  head  subconic,  acute;  mouth  rather 
large,  maxillary  reaching  beyond  eye,  2-J-  in  head;  lower  jaw  rather 
strongly  projecting,  more  prominent  than  in  any  other  species. 

Colour  in  life,  olivaceous  gray,  with  darker  clouds;  a  number  of 
irregular  whitish  blotches  scattered  over  body;  5  ill-defined,  roundish, 
blackish  blotches  along  side  of  back,  the  4  under  dorsal  fin  extending 
on  fin;  head  and  body  everywhere  covered  with  round  orange-brown 
spots  of  varying  size,  the  centres  more  orange,  the  borders  brownish, 
these  largest  on  breast,  smallest  on  lips  and  under  parts,  equally  dis- 
tinct everywhere;  mouth  pale  within,  the  roof  with  red  spots;  dorsal 
light  olive,  with  sparse  spots  like  those  on  body  but  smaller;  no  dark 
edge  to  dorsal  and  anal;  numerous  white  spots  on  dorsal,  most  numer- 
ous on  soft  part;  caudal  pale  olive  with  some  paler  spots;  anal  red- 
dish, marked  like  the  dorsal,  its  spots  larger;  basal  half  of  pectoral 
like  dorsal,  the  distal  half  plain  olive;  ventrals  pale  with  orange  spots. 

E.  gua^a,  the  merou  or  mero,  is  found  on  the  eastern  Atlantic 
from  England  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  but  has  been  recorded  from 
our  waters  only  from  the  coast  of  Brazil.  It  is  a  large  fish,  reaching  a 
length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  25  pounds  or  more. 

£.  labriformis  is  a  Pacific  coast  species,  known  from  Cape  San 
Lucas  south  to  the  Galapagos  Islands.  It  reaches  2  feet  in  length  and 
is  rather  common  about  rocky  places. 

The  yellow-finned  grouper  (E.  flavolimbatus)  is  known  from 
Cuba  and  the  Snapper  Banks  off  the  west  coast  of  Florida.  It  may  be  the 
adult  of  E.  niveatus,  from  which  it  seems  to  differ  only  in  colour.  In 
life  brownish  flesh-colour,  unspotted ;  a  clear  blue  streak  from  angle 
of  eye  to  preopercle;  no  spots  or  blotches  anywhere,  and  no  black  on 
caudal  peduncle;  whole  dorsal  with  a  narrow  edge  of  bright  yellow. 

383 


Nassau  Grouper ;  Hamlet;  Cherna  Criolla 

The  snowy  grouper  (E.  niveatus)  is  known  from  the  West  Indies 
south  to  Brazil  and  occasionally  north  in  the  Gulf  Stream  to  Woods 
Hole.  Colour,  brown  with  round  whitish  spots  on  body,  smaller  than 
pupil,  regularly  arranged  in  vertical  and  horizontal  series,  4  in  former 
and  5  in  latter,  these  rows  sometimes  irregular;  no  distinct  spots  on 
breast;  a  very  large  black  blotch  on  upper  part  of  caudal  peduncle,  this 
sometimes  absent. 


Nassau  Grouper;   Hamlet;  Cherna  Criolla 

Epinephelus  striatus  (Bloch) 

This  large  species  is  common  from  Key  West  to  Brazil.  It  is 
common  about  Key  West  and  many  large  examples  are  taken.  It 
attains  a  length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  50  pounds,  though  those  seen 
in  the  Key  West  market  usually  do  not  exceed  10  pounds.  It  is  a 
good  food-fish  and  is  found  all  the  year  round  about  Key  West. 

Colour  in  life,  rather  pale  olivaceous  gray,  paler  below,  sides  with 
obscure  whitish  cloudings;  side  with  about  4  irregular  broad  vertical 
bars  dark  brown  in  colour,  each  enclosing  small  whitish  spots,  these 
bars  darkest  on  back  and  extending  on  dorsal  fin;  a  square  jet-black 
blotch  on  upper  edge  of  caudal  peduncle;  a  dark  band  from  snout 
through  eye  to  side  below  origin  of  dorsal;  another  on  median  line  of 
snout,  forking  opposite  front  of  eye,  the  2  bands  extending  backward 
and  ceasing  on  occiput  without  reaching  the  other  band;  cheek  light 
brown  with  whitish  blotches;  fins  colour  of  body  but  lighter;  dorsal 
and  caudal  with  narrow  pale  yellow  border. 

The  red  hind  or  cabrilla  (E.  guttatus)  is  found  from  the  Carolinas 
through  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil.  It  is  rare  on  our  coast,  but  is  com- 
mon at  Havana. 

From  related  species  it  may  be  distinguished  by  its  colour,  which 
in  life  is  light  yellowish  olive  above,  whitish  below;  3  broad,  oblique, 
obscure  olive  bands  running  upward  and  backward  on  side;  spots  on 
body  vivid  scarlet,  those  above  darker,  edges  of  scales  brown;  inside 
of  mouth  mostly  pale,  partly  scarlet;  belly  spotted;  dorsal  olive-yel- 
low, somewhat  clouded,  a  few  red  spots  on  spinous  dorsal;  soft  dorsal 
broadly  edged  with  black;  caudal  yellowish,  the  posterior  half  black, 
its  edge  white;  anal  like  soft  dorsal;  pectoral  light  yellow,  with  rows 
of  small  scarlet  spots;  ventrals  red,  blackish  at  tips. 

384 


p !  Q< 

t>  tj 

O  M 

§  3 

e  2 


Red  Grouper ;  Cherna  Americana 

The  speckled  hind  or  john-paw  (E.    drummond-hayt)  is  most 
abundant  on  the  Snapper  Banks  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  but  it  has  been 


recorded  from  the  Bermudas  and  Charleston.  It  attains  a  weight  of  30 
pounds,  and  is  an  important  food-fish  in  the  Pensacola  market.  It  is 
perhaps  the  most  beautiful  in  colour  of  all  the  groupers. 

Colour,  dark  umber-brown,  densely  covered  with  small  pearly- 
white  spots,  those  below  smaller  and  nearly  round,  all  in  irregular 
series;  fins  not  dark-edged,  all  covered  with  similar  spots,  those  of 
the  paired  fins  chiefly  on  the  inner  surface;  lower  side  of  head  flushed 
with  red  and  unspotted;  caudal  fin  more  densely  spotted  than  the 
body,  the  terminal  spots  lavender;  pectoral  with  a  subterminal  orange 
band. 

Red   Grouper;  Cherna  Americana 

Epinephelus   morio   (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

The  red  grouper  is  the  most  abundant  and  best-known  species  of 
the  genus.  It  is  found  on  our  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts  from 
Virginia  to  Texas  and  southward  to  Brazil.  It  is  an  easily  recogniza- 
ble species,  separated  from  all  others  by  the  elevation  of  the  second 
dorsal  spine.  Besides  the  vernacular  names  given  above,  it  is  known 
also  as  cherna,  mero,  cherna  de  vivera,  negre,  and  jaboncillo. 

The  red  grouper  is  a  very  handsome  fish,  bearing  some  resem- 

385 


Garrupa 

blance  to  the  Nassau  grouper,  but  the  warm  browns  on  the  side  of  the 
body  and  head  are  richer,  while  the  general  appearance  is  somewhat 
coarser.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  food-fishes  of  our 
tropical  waters,  reaching  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  20  to  40 
pounds.  It  is  most  abundant  on  the  west  coast  of  Florida,  in  company 
with  the  red  snapper.  It  is  also  abundant  on  the  south  coast  of  Florida, 
where  it  is  found  throughout  the  year.  The  red  grouper  is  more  of  a 
bottom  fish  than  the  red  snapper,  and  swims  more  slowly,  seldom 
rising  to  the  surface.  It  is  very  voracious,  consuming  large  quantities 
of  crustaceans  and  small  fish.  Large  crabs  and  small  fishes  in  perfect 
condition  have  been  found  in  their  stomachs,  and  several  new  species 
have  been  obtained  in  this  way.  On  the  Snapper  Banks  on  the  west 
coast  of  Florida  it  is  caught  by  the  red-snapper  fishermen  in  the  same 
manner  in  which  the  red  snapper  is  taken,  which  is  with  hook  arid 
line,  a  piece  of  bone-fish  or  other  fish  being  used  as  bait.  As  a  game- 
fish  it  does  not  rank  high,  its  movements  being  slow,  and  when 
hooked  it  usually  has  to  be  hauled  in  as  a  dead  weight.  It  will  take 
any  kind  of  bait.  When  red  snappers  were  more  abundant  the  red 
grouper  did  not  find  a  ready  sale  in  Northern  markets,  though  it  has 
always  been  in  good  demand  at  Havana  and  Key  West.  The  maxi- 
mum weight  of  those  taken  about  Key  West  is  about  25  pounds  and 
the  average  only  8  to  15  pounds. 

The  red  grouper  is  very  tenacious  of  life,  and  will  live  several 
hours  after  being  taken  out  of  the  water,  even  though  exposed  to  con- 
siderable heat.  This  is  one  reason  why  Key  West  fishermen  have 
preferred  red  groupers  for  transportation  to  Cuba,  since  they  must  go 
a  long  way  to  market  through  warm  water,  and  the  groupers  bear  the 
crowding  and  chafing  in  the  live-wells  of  the  smacks  better  than  other 
species. 


GENUS  GARRUPA  JORDAN 

This  genus  is  closely  allied  to  Epinephelus,  but  has  the  skull  very 
broad  and  flat;  the  interorbital  little  concave,  and  the  median  ridge 
scarcely  evident. 

The  only  known  species  is  Garrupa  nigrita,  known  as  the  black 
jewfish,  black  grouper,  or  mero  de  lo  alto,  which  occurs  from  Charles- 
ton and  Pensacola  south  to  Brazil  and  strays  to  Sicily. 

It  is  an   immense  fish,  one   of  the  largest    known,   reaching  a 

386 


RED  GROUPER.  Epinephelus  ntorio 


RED  HIND,  Epinephelus  guttaius 


Promicrops 

weight  of  about  500  pounds,  and  rivaling  in  size  the  largest  known 
examples  of  the  spotted  jewfish  and  the  California  jewfish.     No  small 


examples  have  ever  been  seen,  only  one  weighing  less  than  100  pounds 
having  been  recorded. 

Colour,  plain  chocolate-brown,  varying  to  blackish  gray,  without 
markings,  or  with  faint  blotches,  the  lower  parts  scarcely  paler,  the 
distal  parts  of  the  vertical  fins  darker;  a  dark  streak  along  the  edge  of 
the  maxillary. 


GENUS  PROMICROPS  GILL 

In  this  genus  the  cranium  is  extremely  broad  and  depressed  between 
the  eyes,  the  anterior  profile  of  the  head  being  more  or  less  concave. 

Only  one  species  certainly  known,  the  spotted  jewfish,  Promicrops 
itaiara,  a  tropical  fish  of  very  large  size,  rivaling  the  black  grouper  and 
the  California  jewfish  in  weight.  It  reaches  2  to  6  feet  in  length  and 
occurs  on  both  coasts  of  tropical  America  north  of  Florida  and  the  Gulf 
of  California.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  the  West  Indies,  especially 
about  rocks.  Colour  of  adult,  nearly  uniform  dull  olive-brown,  the 
spots  or  bands  faint  or  obsolete. 


3*7 


Alphestes 

GENUS   ALPHESTES  BLOCH  &  SCHNEIDER 

This  genus  differs  from  Epinephelus  chiefly  in  the  presence  of  a 
strong  antrorse  spine  on  the  lower  limb  of  the  preopercle.  There  are 
but  2  known  species,  only  one  of  which  (Alphestes  afer)  is  of  much 
importance.  This  species,  known  as  the  cherna  or  guaseta,  is  found 


from  Cuba  to  Brazil,  and  has  been  recorded  also  from  Africa  and  the 
Falkland  Islands.  It  is  common  about  Porto  Rico,  where  it  reaches  a 
foot  or  more  in  length  and  is  regarded  as  a  good  food-fish. 

Colour  in  life,  yellowish  brown,  paler  below;  upper  part  of  side 
with  about  7  longitudinal  stripes  of  dark  brown  from  head  to  tail, 
these  becoming  rows  of  round  orange  spots  below;  6 dark  inconspic- 
uous vertical  bars  on  body;  head  with  many  smaller  orange-brown 
spots;  lower  part  of  head  and  breast  with  pale  bluish  spots;  fins 
brownish;  ventrals  olive  edged  with  darker;  other  fins  obscurely 
barred;  inside  of  mouth  pale. 

The  other  species  (A.  multiguttatus]  is  very  close  to  A.  afer,  from 
which  it  differs  in  the-  more  slender  head,  more  prominent  chin,  and 
the  colouration,  which  is  dark  olive-brown,  the  body  and  head  pro- 
fusely covered  with  round  spots  of  darker  brown  about  half  size  of 
pupil;  spots  on  posterior  part  of  body  confluent  in  horizontal  streaks; 
breast  and  front  of  head  with  few  spots;  a  very  faint  mustache  above 
maxillary;  dorsal  and  caudal  dusky-olive,  nearly  plain;  anal  with  2 
dusky  cross-bands;  pectoral  yellowish,  with  5  dusky  cross-bands,  its 
edge  pale;  ventrals  dusky. 

388 


Mycteroperca 

This  species  reaches  8  inches  in  length  and  is  rather  common  on 
our  Pacific  coast  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama. 

The  genus  Dermatolepis  resembles  Epinephelus,  but  it  has  the  body 
shorter  and  deeper,  the  head  small  and  much  compressed,  the  interor- 
bital  narrow,  the  soft  dorsal  very  long,  the  anal  short,  and  the  scales 
all  cycloid,  small,  and  embedded. 

Four  species  are  known,  3  of  which  occur  in  our  waters.  None 
of  them  is  of  much  value  as  food.  The  accompanying  illustration  of 
our  most  interesting  species,  D.  ^anclus,  will  serve  to  indicate  the 


character  of  this  group.     This  species  reaches  2  feet  in  length,  and  is 
known  only  from  Key  West. 


GENUS  MYCTEROPERCA  GILL 

Cranium  broad  and  transversely  concave  between  the  eyes,  its 
lateral  crests  very  strong,  nearly  parallel  with  the  supraoccipital  crest, 
and  extending  much  farther  forward  than  the  latter ;  lower  jaw  strongly 
projecting;  anal  fin  long,  usually  with  n  or  12  rays;  caudal  lunate; 
spines  of  fins  slender,  none  much  elevated;  scales  small,  mostly  cy- 
cloid, those  of  the  lateral  line  simple;  pyloric  coeca  few.  From  Epine- 
phelus this  genus  may  be  distinguished  by  its  longer  anal,  larger  mouth, 
and  more  slender  body. 

389 


Mycteroperca 

a.  Nostrils  subequal,  well  separated 

b.  Gill-rakers  comparatively  few  and  short,  8  to  20  below  the  angle. 

c.  Anal  fin  III,  9  to  1 1,  high  and  falcate boulengeri,  391 

cc.  Anal  fin  III,  n  or  12,  long. 

d.  Anal  fin  not  angulated,  its  outline  more  or  less  evenly  rounded. 

e.  Angle  of   preopercle  not  salient,  its  teeth  scarcely  enlarged;    gill- 

rakers  ^  +  8  to  10. 

/.  Gill-rakers  very  few  and  short,  #  +  8  developed;  caudal  lunate. 

g.  General  colour  gray,  with  red  and  black  markings. .  .venenosa,  391 

gg.  General  colour  scarlet,  with  red  and  black  markings. . .  .apua,  392 

ff.  Gill-rakers  rather  slender,  about  #+io;  caudal  subtruncate. 

h.  Scales  not  very  small,  about  1 10. 

i.  Dark  blotches  on  body  rather  large,  often  quadrate bonaci,  392 

/'/.  Dark  spots  on  body  very  small,  close-set xanthosticta,  392 

hh.  Scales  smaller,  about  120  to  140 jordani,  392 

ee.  Angle  of  preopercle  more  or  less  salient,  its  teeth  somewhat  en- 
larged; gill-rakers  more  numerous,  x-f  12  to  14. 

j.  Scales  very  small,  about  140;  caudal  distinctly  lunate. 

microlepis,  392 

jj.  Scales  somewhat  larger,  about  120;  caudal  little  concave. 

inter stitialis,  393 

jjj.  Scales  still  larger,  about  no;  caudal  deeply  lunate,  dimidiata,  393 

dd.  Anal  fin  angulated,  its  middle  rays  much  exserted,  its  posterior 
margin  concave xenarcha,  393 

bb.  Gill-rakers  close-set,  very  long  and  slender,  25  to  35  below  the 
angle rubra,  393 

aa.  Nostrils  very  close  together,  the  posterior  decidedly  larger  than 
the  anterior. 

k.  Gill-rakers  very  numerous,  long  and  slender,  about  24  below  the 
angle pardalis,  393 

kh.  Gill-rakers  fewer  and  moderate,  6  to  18  below  the  angle. 

/.  Second  dorsal  spine  highest,  its  length  more  than  •£  that  of  head. 

m.  Colour,  brown,  with  grayish  reticulations  and  brown  spots. 

olfax,  393 

mm.  Colour,  chiefly  red ruberrima,  393 

//.  Second  dorsal  spine  low,  shorter  than  third,  the  third  and  fourth 
highest. 

n.  Margin  of  anal  fin  posteriorly  concave,  its  middle  rays  much  exserted. 

o.  Gill-rakers  rather  numerous,  17.10  20  below  angle  of  arch. 

p.  Outer  rays  of  caudal  scarcely  produced,  not  f  length  of  head. 

rosacea,  393 

pp.  Outer  rays  of  caudal  much  produced,  more  than  f  length  of  head. 

q.  Upper  canines  directed  strongly  forward,  the  lower  backward;  col- 
ouration obscure falcata,  393 

qq.  Upper  canines  nearly  vertical;  colouration  brighter  ..  .phenax,  394 

oo.  Gill-rakers  few,  8  below  angle venadorum,  394 

nn.  Margin  of  anal   fin  concave  posteriorly,   the   outline   of  the  fin 
rounded  or  slightly  angular. 

390 


Mycteroperca 

r.  Gill-rakers  rather  few,  #+12;  body  without  dark  cross-bars. 

5.  Scales  very  small,  about  20-140-37;  caudal  not  deeply  lunate,  eye 

small bowersi,  394 

ss.  Scales  larger,  about  90  to  100  in  lateral  line;  caudal  deeply  lunate; 

eye  larger calliura,  394 

rr.  Gill-rakers  very  few,  short  and  thick,  about  x+6;  body  with  light 

and  dark  cross-bars. 

t.  Ground  colour  dark  olive tigris,  394 

//.  Ground  colour  bright  red camelopardalis,  395 

The  species  of  this  genus  are  very  numerous  and  most  of  them 
very  closely  related.  While  all  are  excellent  for  food,  the  scarcity  of 
some  and  the  distance  of  others  from  a  market  leave  but  few  that  are 
of  great  importance  as  food-fishes.  So  many  of  the  species  are  so 
closely  related  that  detailed  descriptions  hardly  seem  necessary.  The 
key  given  above  will  usually  be  found  sufficient  for  the  identification 
of  any  of  the  known  species. 


Mycteroperca  boulengeri  is  a  small  species  known  only  from 
Mazatlan,  where  it  is  rather  common  in  the  astillero.  It  reaches  15 
inches  in  length,  is  olive-gray  in  color,  covered  everywhere  with 
irregular  oblong  black  markings. 

M.  venenosa,  the  yellow-tinned  grouper,  rockfish,  or  bonaci  de 
piedra,  occurs  from  the  Florida  Keys  and  the  Bahamas  southward 
among  the  West  Indies.  It  is  a  large,  handsome  fish,  reaching  3  feet 
in  length,  and  is  reputed  poisonous.  •  In  life  it  is  a  clear  olive-green, 
livid  blue  or  pearly  below;  upper  parts  everywhere  with  broad  reticu- 

39* 


Mycteroperea 

lations  and  curved  blotches  of  bright,  clear,  light  green;  entire  body 
and  head  covered  with  round  orange-brown  spots;  angle  of  mouth 
orange  within;  iris  orange;  breast  slightly  rosy;  dorsal  olive-brown 
with  whitish  blotches. 

M.  apiia,  the  bonaci  cardenal,  is  found  from  the  Florida  Keys  to 
Brazil  in  deeper  water  than  M.  -venenosa,  from  which  it  differs  only  in 
colour  and  of  which  it  has  usually  been  regarded  as  a  subspecies.  But 
we  have  never  seen  any  specimens  intermediate  between  the  two,  and 
it  seems  best  to  regard  them  as  distinct  species. 

Colour  in  life  of  an  example  2  feet  long,  intense  scarlet  red  above, 
grayer  below;  small  black  spots  above,  larger  red  ones  below;  base 
of  dorsal  and  caudal  deep  red,  the  edge  of  dorsal,  caudal,  and  anal 
black;  pectoral  spotted  at  base,  then  blackish,  thence  broadly  yellow. 
Younger  examples  scarlet  brown  above,  varying  from  vermilion  to 
gray. 

M.  bonaci,  the  black  grouper,  bonaci  arara  or  aguaji,  is  found  from 
the  Florida  Keys  through  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil.  It  is  abundant 
about  Key  West,  where  it  is  the  only  fish  known  as  black  grouper.  It 
reaches  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  50  pounds.  Large  in- 
dividuals are  taken  with  hook  and  line  and  are  said  to  be  very  game. 
Small  ones  are  seined  alongshore. 

M.  xanthosticla  is  known  only  from  the  Snapper  Banks  off  the 
west  coast  of  Florida  and  is  rare.  It  reaches  a  large  size,  examples  4 
feet  in  length  having  been  taken. 

M.  jordani,  the  cabrilla  de  astillero  or  baya,  is  an  important  food- 
fish  at  Mazatlan  and  Guaymas.  It  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  3  feet  and 
is  common  in  bays  and  protected  waters. 

Colour,  olive-gray,  blackish  above,  with  obscure  clouds  of  darker 
olive  in  the  form  of  diffuse  dark  blotches,  these  oblong  quadrate  and 
arranged  in  4  series;  lower  parts  pale  olive;  sides  of  head  with  wavy 
black  streaks. 

M.  microlepis,  the  gag,  occurs  from  Beaufort,  North  Carolina, 
and  around  the  coast  of  Florida  to  Pensacola.  It  is  not  yet  known 
from  the  West  Indies.  At  Key  West  it  is  a  common  fish  at  all  times, 
reaches  a  weight  of  10  pounds,  and  is  highly  esteemed. 

Colour,  variable,  those  from  shallow  water  being  lighter  and  more 
variegated;  those  from  deeper  water  plain  brownish  gray,  paler  below, 
with  no  distinct  spots  or  rivulations,  but  with  faint  traces  of  darker 
spotting,  which  disappear  in  alcohol;  dorsal  dark  olive,  the  tip  of  soft 
part  blue-black,  the  edge  narrowly  white;  caudal  black  with  bright 

392 


-^    •     '       •  V 

*t' 


JEWFISH,  Promicrops  itaiara 


BLACK  GROUPER,  Mycteroperca  bonaci 


Mycteroperca 

blue  shadings,  its  edge  white;  anal  deep  indigo  blue,  olive  at  base,  its 
edge  white;  pectoral  olive,  dusky  toward  the  tip;  ventrals  blackish, 
the  first  ray  tipped  with  white. 

M.  inter stitialis  is  known  only  from  the  coasts  of  Cuba.  It  is 
rather  common  in  the  Havana  market.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and 
is  a  good  food-fish. 

M.  dimidiata  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from  Havana.  Speci- 
mens only  a  few  inches  long  have  been  seen. 

M.  xenarcha  occurs  about  rocky  islands  on  the  Pacific  coast  from 
Mazatlan  to  Peru.  It  is  fairly  abundant  and  reaches  2  feet  in  length. 

M.  rubra  is  of  rather  wide  distribution.  It  occurs  among  the 
West  Indies  and  south  to  Brazil,  in  the  eastern  Atlantic  about  islands, 
and  in  the  Mediterranean. 

M.  pardalis,  the  cabrilla  piritita,  is  known  from  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia and  Mazatlan,  where  it  is  rather  common  about  rocky  islands; 
it  reaches  2  feet  in  length. 

M.  olfax,  the  yellow  grouper,  reaches  2  to  3  feet  in  length,  and  is 
rather  common  about  Panama  and  the  Galapagos  Islands. 

M.  ruberrima  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from  Abingdon  Island 
of  the  Galapagos  group. 

M.  rosacea  is  a  beautifully  coloured  but  very  rare  species  known 
only  from  Angel  Island,  Gulf  of  California,  and  Mazatlan.  Colour  in 
life,  nearly  everywhere  brick-red;  tips  of  pectorals  dusky. 


M.  falcata,  the  bacalao  or  abadejo,  is  found  in  the  West  Indies 
and  north  to  Bermuda.  It  grows  to  2  or  3  feet  in  length  and  is  an  im- 
portant food-fish  at  Havana.  Colour  in  life,  brown  above,  sides  gray- 
ish brown,  faintly  covered  with  darker  spots,  which  disappear  in  spirits; 

393 


Mycteroperca 

eyes  and  angle  of  mouth  yellowish ;  ventrals  dusky,  the  outer  portion 
bluish  black;  pectoral  with  a  whitish  edge. 

M.  phenax,  the  scamp  of  Key  West  and  elsewhere  in  southern 
Florida,  may  be  told  from  the  preceding  by  having  its  upper  canines 
nearly  vertical  instead  of  directed  forward,  and  by  the  different  colour- 
ation, which  is  much  brighter,  being  pinkish  gray  above,  paler  purplish 
below;  upper  parts  and  opercles  thickly  covered  with  small,  rounded, 
irregular  spots  of  dark  brown;  sides  with  larger  and  fainter  brown 
blotches,  more  or  less  horizontally  oblong  and  somewhat  reticulate;  spi- 
nous  dorsal  brownish;  soft  dorsal  darker,  faintly  spotted,  edged  with 
dusky  and  with  a  narrow  rim  of  whitish  anteriorly;  caudal  brownish, 
spotted  with  darker,  its  outer  rays  blackish  distally  and  edged  with 
whitish;  pectoral  plain,  dusky  toward  the  tip,  edged  with  whitish;  ven- 
trals pale,  tipped  with  dusky ;  mouth  pale,  scarcely  greenish.  The  scamp 
reaches  a  length  of  2  feet  and  a  weight  of  12  pounds  or  more,  though 
those  seen  at  Key  West  do  not  usually  exceed  2  or  3  pounds.  It  is  a  hand- 
some, trim-looking  fish,  taking  the  hook  readily  and  making  a  good  fight. 

M.  -venadorum,  the  garlopa  (garrupa)  of  the  Mazatlan  fishermen, 
is  a  very  large  species  thus  far  known  only  from  that  place.  The  type 
specimen,  the  skin  of  which  is  in  the  British  Museum,  weighed  75 
pounds,  and  examples  of  twice  that  size  have  been  seen.  It  is  not 
abundant,  but  is  an  important  food-fish. 

M.  bowersi  is  known  only  from  Culebra  Island  east  of  Porto  Rico, 
where  it  is  called  rock-hind  or  rockfish  by  the  Tortola  fishermen,  and 
mero  cabrilla  by  the  Spaniards.  It  is  a  beautiful  fish,  reaching  a  length 
of  at  least  2  feet,  and  is  a  fine  food-fish. 

Colour  in  life,  dark  reddish  brown,  with  many  small,  round,  blood- 
red  spots  on  body,  head,  lower  jaw,  and  base  of  pectoral  and  anal  fins, 
especially  numerous  on  anal;  a  few  on  spinous  dorsal;  soft  dorsal 
mottled  with  white  and  black,  with  a  very  narrow  white  edge  inside 
of  which  is  a  broad  black  band;  tip  of  caudal  narrowly  white,  inside 
of  which  is  a  broad  black  band,  rest  of  fin  mottled  and  spotted  with 
white  and  black  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal  but 
with  more  red  spots;  inside  of  mouth  pale  red. 

M.  calliura  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from  the  coast  of  Cuba. 
It  reaches  2\  feet  in  length.  It  seems  to  resemble  M.  bowersi,  but  dif- 
fers notably  in  colour. 

M.  tigris,  the  bonaci  gato,  is  found  among  the  West  Indies  and 
north  to  Bermuda.  It  reaches  2  feet  in  length  and,  though  not  com- 
mon anywhere,  is  a  good  food-fish. 

394 


YELLOW  GROUPER,  Mycteroperca  olfax 


GAG,  Mycteroperca  microkpis 


Hypoplectrus 

M.  camelopardalis  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from  Havana  and 
resembling  M.  tigris,  but  the  ground  colour  is  bright  red. 

The  genus  Cratinus;  which  resembles  Serranus,  has  but  one 
species,  C.  agassi^i,  which  occurs  about  the  Galapagos  Islands.  It 
reaches  18  inches  in  length  and  is  peculiar  on  account  of  its  long,  low 
head. 

The  genus  Hypoplectrus  has  the  body  more  compressed  and 
deeper  than  in  other  groups  allied  to  Serranus.  The  skull  differs  from 
Serranus  in  the  development  of  the  supraoccipital  crest,  which  is  much 
elevated. 

Many  species  have  been  described,  but  they  nearly  all  may  be 
simply  colour  forms  of  one,  H.  unicolor. 


This  species,  with  its  various  forms,  occurs  from  the  Florida  Keys 
southward  among  the  West  Indies  and  to  Brazil. 

H.  lamprurus  occurs  at  Panama  and  is  a  rare  species.  H.  gemma 
was  described  from  Garden  Key,  Florida,  and  is  a  doubtful  species. 

The  genus  Paralabrax  has  the  body  robust  and  covered  with 
ctenoid  scales;  mouth  large,  with  small  lateral  canines  and  no  depressi- 
ble  teeth;  smooth  area  on  top  of  head  very  short  and  small,  not  ex- 
tending much  behind  the  orbits;  the  long  and  low  supraoccipital  crest 
extending  well  forward  to  a  line  connecting  the  postfrontal  processes; 
caudal  fin  always  lunate;  some  of  the  anterior  dorsal  spines  considera- 
bly elevated;  dorsal  usually  X,  14;  anal  III,  7. 

395 


Paralabrax 

The  known  species  of  this  genus  are  confined  to  the  coasts  of 
tropical  America,  where  they  are  important  food-fishes.  There  are  4 
within  our  limits.  Paralabrax  nebulifer,  the  johnny-verde,  occurs  on 
our  Pacific  coast  from  Monterey  to  Lower. California.  It  is  generally 
common  in  shallow  water,  reaches  18  inches  in  length,  and  is  a  food- 
fish  of  excellent  quality.  Its  colour  is  greenish,  with  irregular  pale  and 
dark  mottlings  and  traces  of  dark  oblique  cross-bars;  suborbital  and 
cheek  profusely  marked  with  round  orange  spots;  a  dark  streak  down- 
ward and  backward  from  eye;  lower  side  of  head  salmon  colour; 
lower  side  of  tail  with  wavy  whitish  streaks. 


The  spotted  cabrilla,  P.  maculatofasciatus,  occurs  from  San  Pedro, 
California,  to  Mazatlan  and  in  the  Gulf  of  California.  It  is  everywhere 
common  on  sandy  shores,  and  is  an  excellent  food-fish,  reaching  a 
length  of  18  inches. 

Colour,  olive-brown,  thickly  covered  everywhere  above  with  dark 
hexagonal  or  roundish  spots,  so  close  together  that  the  ground  colour 
appears  as  reticulations  around  them;  these  spots  more  or  less  con- 
fluent on  the  back,  and  more  distinct  and  tinged  with  orange  on  sides 
of  head,  branchiostegals,  and  on  base  of  pectorals;  about  7  dusky 
cross-bars  on  side,  in  which  the  spots  ar.e  deeper  in  colour  and  more 
confluent;  a  bluish  stripe  from  eye  across  cheek;  lower  parts  yellow; 
dorsal  and  caudal  with  bronze  spots. 

P.  humeralis  is  found  from  Panama  southward.  It  reaches  2  or  3 
feet  in  length,  is  found  in  rather  deep  water,  and  is  a  valuable  fish. 

P.  clathratus,  the  rock-bass  of  the  California  coast,  occurs  from 
San  Francisco  southward  to  Cerros  Island.  It  is  the  most  common 
species  of  the  genus  in  those  waters,  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches  and 

396 


SCAMP,  Mycteroperca  phenax 


SEA  BASS,  Centropristes  striatus 


Centropristes 

a  weight  of  5  pounds,  and  is  an  excellent  food-fish.  Colour  grayish 
green,  with  obscure  broad,  dusky  streaks  and  bars,  which  form  reticu- 
lations on  the  sides,  which  are  often  shaded  and  mottled  with  bluish 
and  greenish,  but  usually  without  distinct  spots;  a  broad,  dark,  longi- 
tudinal shade  near  axis  of  body;  belly  plain  silvery  gray. 

The  genus  Centropristes  has  the  body  robust,  somewhat  com- 
pressed, covered  with  rather  large  ctenoid  scales;  mouth  large,  formed 
as  in  Serranus  and  Paralabrax,  the  canines  small;  preopercle  serrate, 
the  lower  teeth  somewhat  antrorse;  supraoccipital  and  parietal  with 
strong  crests  extending  forward  to  between  the  postfrontal  processes; 
smooth  area  on  top  of  head  very  short  and  small;  dorsal  short,  X,  1 1 ; 
anal  III,  7;  caudal  usually  3-lobed  or  double  concave;  canines  very 
weak. 

This  genus  contains  3  species,  one  of  them  a  very  important  food- 
fish.  C.  striatus,  variously  known  as  the  black  sea-bass,  blackfish, 
hannahill,  black-will,  and  black-harry,  is  found  along  our  Atlantic 
coast  from  Cape  Ann  to  northern  Florida.  It  is  common  northward 
and  is  a  well-known  food-fish. 

The  sea-bass  is  usually  a  bottom  fish,  rather  sluggish  in  its  move- 
ments, and,  like  the  tautog,  is  often  seen  lying  among  loose  stones  or 
in  cavities  in  the  rocks.  They  feed  upon  crabs,  shrimps,  small  fish,  and 
squids.  They  are  voracious  feeders,  taking  the  hook  freely,  and  as 
their  mouths  are  tough,  they  are  not  easily  lost. 

Their  spawning-time  is  probably  in  the  summer,  as  the  fish  are 
full  of  spawn  in  the  spring,  and  young  fish  i  to  2  inches  long  are  com- 
mon in  the  eel-grass  along  the  shores  of  southern  New  England  in 
early  fall. 

The  sea-bass  grows  to  a  weight  of  4  or  5  pounds,  though  this  is 
unusual;  they  average  less  than  2  pounds. 

As  a  food-fish  this  species  holds  a  high  rank.  The  flesh  is  flaky 
and  sweet,  and  keeps  well,  a  feature  which  makes  it  a  good  shipper. 

Colour,  dusky-brown  or  black,  more  or  less  mottled  and  with 
pale  longitudinal  streaks;  dorsal  with  several  series  of  elongate  whitish 
spots  forming  oblique  light  stripes;  other  fins  dusky,  mottled;  young 
with  a  black  longitudinal  band,  which  later  breaks  up,  forming  dark 
cross-shades;  a  large  black  spot  on  last  dorsal  spines. 

The  tally-wag  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  is  a  distinct  species  of  sea- 
bass,  C.  ocyurus,  occurring  in  rather  deep  water,  chiefly  on  the  Snap- 
per Banks. 

397 


6ea-bass 

From  the  common  sea-bass  this  species  may  be  readily  distin- 
guished by  the  much  shorter  and  wider-set  gill-rakers>  and  the  colour, 
which  is  a  pale  olive,  somewhat  darker  on  the  back;  side  with  3  lon- 
gitudinal rows  of  quadrate  black  blotches,  the  upper  series  obscure 
along  base  of  caudal,  the  second  distinct  and  placed  just  below  lateral 
line,  the  3  anterior  blotches  of  the  series  somewhat  confluent;  the 
lower  series  very  distinct  jet-black  and  not  confluent,  pl?ced  alongside 
of  belly;  caudal  fin  with  middle  rays  black,  the  outer  pale,  all  with 
darker  spots. 


C.  philadelphicus,  the  rock  sea-bass,  is  found  on  rocky  shores  of 
South  Carolina,  in  rather  deep  water.  It  is  rather  common  about 
Charleston,  but  has  not  been  seen  elsewhere.  It  reaches  8  or  10  inches 
in  length,  and  may  be  known  by  the  fleshy  filaments  on  the  dorsal 
spines. 

Another  species,  C.  rufus,  has  been  described  from  Martinique, 
but  it  is  of  doubtful  validity. 

The  genus  Diplectrum  is  close  to  Prionodes,  from  which  it  differs 
chiefly  in  the  armature  of  the  preopercle,  which  is  provided  in  the  adult 
with  i  or  2  clusters  of  strong,  straight,  divergent  spines;  smooth  area 
on  top  of  head  large;  profile  of  snout  rounded;  pectoral  unsymmetri- 
cally  rounded,  its  upper  rays  longest;  ventrals  inserted  somewhat 
before  axil  of  pectoral ;  dorsal  spines  slender,  none  of  them  much  ele- 
vated; soft  dorsal  short,  the  rays  X,  12;  anal  III,  7;  caudal  lunate. 

Several  species,  all  American,  and  all  small,  brightly  coloured 
fishes,  none  of  much  food-value. 

398 


The  Squirrel-fishes 

They  are  all  known  as  squirrel-fishes.     D.  formosum,  which  is 
found  from  Charleston  to  Montevideo,  is  one  of  the  best-known  spe- 


cies. It  is  quite  common  on  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts,  on 
both  rocky  and  sandy  shores.  It  is  a  handsome  fish,  reaching  a 
length  of  a  foot,  and  is  an  excellent  food-fish. 


399 


THE  TRIPLETAILS 


Family  XLIX.     Lobotidce 

BODY  oblong,  compressed;  snout  short;  eyes  well  forward;  no 
teeth  on  palate;  soft  parts  of  dorsal  and  anal  fins  equal  and  opposite, 
the  former  preceded  by  a  much  larger  spinous  portion ;  vertebrae  12+12. 

This  family  contains  but  2  or  3  species,  large  fishes  closely  allied 
to  the  Serranidce,  but  lacking  the  vomerine  and  palatine  teeth,  and 
with  the  fore  part  of  the  head  very  short.  Our  only  important  species 


is  the  flasher  or  tripletail,  which  is  found  from  Surinam  northward 
among  the  West  Indies  and  occasionally  to  Cape  Cod.  It  has  been  re- 
corded also  from  the  Mediterranean,  India,  and  China.  It  is  only  of 
rare  occurrence  on  our  coast.  In  Indian  River,  Florida,  it  is  taken  only 
occasionally  and  is  not  well  known  to  the  fishermen.  It  is  not  un- 
common about  Porto  Rico.  The  tripletail  is  an  interesting  and  attrac- 
tive fish,  reaching  a  length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  25  or  30  pounds, 
and  is  a  good  food-fish.  We  know  nothing  as  to  its  game  qualities. 

The  Lobotes  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Central  America  (L.  pacificus) 
seems  to  differ  from  the  tripletail  chiefly  in  the  narrower  interorbital 
and  the  smaller  preopercular  serrations.  Little  is  known  of  its  habits. 

400 


THE  CATALUFAS 

Family  L.     Priacanthidce 

BODY  oblong  or  ovate,  compressed,  covered  with  small,  firm, 
rough  scales,  all  parts  of  the  body,  head,  snout,  and  maxillaries  being 
densely  scaled,  each  scale  with  a  more  or  less  developed  plate  on  its 
posterior  border;  mouth  large,  very  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  prominent; 
villiform  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines,  none  on  tongue;  pre- 
maxillaries  protractile;  maxillary  broad,  without  supplemental  bone, 
not  slipping  under  the  very  narrow  preorbital,  which  is  usually  ser- 
rate; eye  very  large;  posterior  nostril  long,  slit-like,  close  to  the  eye; 
preopercle  more  or  less  serrate,  one  or  more  spines  at  its  angle ;  oper- 
cle  very  short,  ending  in  2  or  3  points;  no  barbels;  gill-membranes 
separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  pseudobranchise  very  large,  extending 
along  whole  length  of  opercle;  postorbital  part  of  head  very  short,  the 
opercle  small;  lateral  line  continuous,  not  extending  on  caudal;  dorsal 
fin  continuous,  the  spines  depressible  in  a  groove;  anal  spines  strong, 
the  soft  part  of  fin  long,  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  caudal  truncate  or  lu- 
nate ;  air-bladder  large. 

Carnivorous  fishes  of  tropical  seas,  chiefly  in  deep  water;  mostly 
rose-coloured  in  life.  The  family  contains  2  genera  (Priacanthus  and 
Pseudopriacanthus)  and  about  10  species,  only  i  or  2  of  which  are  of 
any  food-value. 

Priacanthus  arenatus,  the  catalufa  or  toro,  is  a  beautiful  fish  found 
in  the  West  Indies  south  to  Brazil,  and  occasionally  north  in  the  Gulf 
Stream  to  Woods  Hole.  It  has  also  been  reported  from  Madeira.  On 
our  Southern  coast  it  has  been  recorded  only  from  Key  West.  It  is  not 
uncommon  about  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  known  as  toro  or  comico. 
Its  usual  length  is  a  foot  to  15  inches,  and  it  is  used  as  food,  its  flesh 
being  firm  and  flaky  and  of  good  flavour.  We  know  nothing  of  it  as 
a  game-fish.  The  brilliant  red  colour  and  large  eye  make  it  a  very 
striking  fish. 

Head  2|  to  3^;  depth  2$;  eye  2f ;  snout  3;  maxillary  2;  mandi- 
ble if;  interorbital  4$;  D.  X,  14,  rarely  13;  A.  Ill,  15,  rarely  16;  pec- 
toral, i^;  ventral  i^;  caudal  i|;  scales  about  94. 

401 


The  Catalufas 

Body  oblong-ovate;  eye  very  large;  mouth  extremely  oblique; 
lower  jaw  strong  and  prominent;  maxillary  very  broad  posteriorly, 
reaching  beyond  front  of  eye;  opercle  and  angle  of  preopercle  each 
with  a  flat  weak  spine;  dorsal  spines  slightly  roughened;  caudal 
slightly  lunate. 

Colour,  body  and  fins  nearly  everywhere  bright  red,  deepest  on 
ventrals  and  caudal;  base  of  pectoral  yellow;  ventral  spine  pale  blue, 
the  rays  black-tipped,  the  membranes  mostly  dusky;  caudal  dark- 
edged;  a  series  of  about  12  indistinct  dark  round  blotches  just  above 
lateral  line;  mouth  red  inside;  iris  chiefly  bright  red,  a  narrow  yellow 
circle  about  the  pupil. 

The  only  other  species  deserving  mention  here  is  the  ojudo  or 
big-eye,  P.  cruentatus. 

This  fish  ranges  from  the  West  Indies  to  St.  Helena  and  the  Ca- 
naries. It  is  known  from  Cuba,  Jamaica,  and  Porto  Rico,  but  is  not 
recorded  from  any  point  on  our  Atlantic  coast.  It  reaches  a  foot  in 
length,  and  is  a  good  food-fish.  It  resembles  the  preceding  species, 
but  the  body  is  deeper,  the  preopercular  spine  stronger,  and  the  colour 
different.  Colour,  silvery,  washed  with  rosy;  back  with  5  or  6  rosy 
saddle-like  blotches  extending  on  sides  to  below  lateral  line;  under  parts 
rosy;  vertical  fins  pale  at  the  base,  brighter  distally;  caudal  black- 
edged;  pectorals  and  ventrals  rosy,  the  latter  black-tipped. 


402 


THE  SNAPPERS 

Family  LI.     Lutianidce 

BODY  oblong,  more  or  less  elevated,  covered  with  moderate- 
sized,  adherent  scales,  which  are  more  or  less  strongly  ctenoid  or 
almost  cycloid;  lateral  line  well  developed,  concurrent  with  the  back, 
not  extending  on  the  caudal  fin;  head  large,  the  crests  on  the  skull 
usually  largely  developed ;  mouth  moderate  or  large,  usually  terminal, 
low  and  horizontal;  premaxillaries  moderately  protractile;  maxillary 
long,  without  supplemental  bone;  teeth  various,  unequal  and  sharp, 
never  incisor-like,  some  of  them  sometimes  molar;  vomer  and  pala- 
tines usually  with  villiform  teeth,  but  these  sometimes  molar,  some- 
times very  small,  sometimes  wanting;  pseudobranchiae  large;  gill- 
rakers  moderate  or  long;  gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the 
isthmus;  no  spines  on  opercle;  side  of  head  usually  scaly;  dorsal  fin 
usually  single,  continuous,  or  deeply  notched,  sometimes  divided  into 
2  fins,  the  spines  usually  strong,  depressible  in  a  groove,  the  spines 
heteracanthous,  i.e.,  alternating,  the  one  stronger  on  the  right  side,  the 
next  on  the  left;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  caudal  usually  more 
or  less  concave;  air-bladder  present,  usually  simple;  pyloric  coeca 
few ;  intestine  short. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  families  among 
fishes,  comprising  about  20  genera  and  some  250  species,  inhabiting 
the  shores  of  the  warmer  regions.  All  are  valued  as  food,  and  all  are 
active,  carnivorous,  and  voracious.  In  our  waters  are  found  about  35 
species,  representing  14  genera,  and  all  of  those  of  sufficient  abun- 
dance have  high  value  as  food-fishes;  and  several  of  them  are  among 
our  most  interesting  and  attractive  salt-water  game-fishes. 

a.  Nostrils  remote  from  each  other,  the  anterior  tubular  and  near  the 

end  of  the  snout Hoplopagrus,  404 

aa.  Nostrils  close  together,  placed  just  before  the  eye,  the  anterior  not 
tubular. 

b.  Interorbital  area  not  flat  nor  separated  from  the  occipital  region. 

c.  Prefrontals  with  the  articular  facets  arising  from  diverging  V-shaped 

ridges. 

d.  Pronto-occipital  crest  ceasing  anteriorly  far  from  front  of  frontals. 

Lutianus,  405 

dd.  Pronto-occipital  crest  continued  forward  along  top  of  head  to 
nearly  opposite  nostrils Ocyurus,  416 

4°3 


The  Snappers 

cc.  Prefrontals  with  the  anterior  facets  developed  from  simple  tuber- 
cles and  not  V-shaped. 
/.   Hyoid  bone  and  tongue  with  teeth;  dorsal  spines  12  or  13. 

Rhomboplites,  417 

ff.  Hyoid  bone  and  tongue  toothless;  dorsal  spines  10  ..Apsilus,  418 
bb.  Interorbital  area  flat,  separated  by  a  transverse  line  of  demarcation 
from  the  occipital  region. 

g.  Head  naked  above  and  on  snout Etelis,  419 

gg.  Head  scaly  above  and  on  jaws  and  snout Verilus,  419 

The  genus  Hoplopagrus  is  close  to  Lutianus,  from  which  it  differs 
chiefly  in  having  the  anterior  nostril  remote  from  the  other. 

The    single    species    is   the    pargo   raisero,  H.  guntberi.      This 


interesting  species  is  found  only  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  tropical 
America,  and  is  known  from  Guaymas  to  Panama.  It  is  a  common 
food-fish  at  Guaymas  and  Mazatlan.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length. 

Colour,  upper  parts  dark  brown,  with  6  double  bands  of  brown 
running  obliquely  downward  and  backward,  the  fourth  and  fifth  pairs 
appearing  as  one;  breast  and  belly  maroon  purple,  becoming  less  dis- 
tinct on  opercles  and  sides;  a  large  jet-black  spot  on  base  of  caudal 
peduncle  and  extending  upon  soft  dorsal;  fins  dusky-olive,  shaded 
with  pinkish  and  brown;  ventrals  black-tipped. 

404 


The  Snappers  or  Pargos 


GENUS  LUTIANUS  BLOCH 

The  Snappers  or  Pargos 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  the  back  somewhat  elevated;  head 
long,  naked  above,  except  for  a  broad  oblique  band  of  scales  on  nape; 
nostrils  normally  close  together,  neither  with  a  tube;  mouth  large,  the 
jaws  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth,  besides  which  is  usually  an  outer 
series  of  larger  teeth  in  each  jaw;  vomer  and  palatines  with  villiform 
teeth;  usually  one  or  more  patches  of  teeth  on  tongue  in  adult;  no 
molars;  preopercle  finely  serrate,  without  notch;  soft  parts  of  dorsal 
and  anal  scaly  at  base;  the  dorsal  continuous;  caudal  lunate  or  forked; 
parietal  crest  not  confluent  with  orbital  rim. 

Species  very  numerous,  Asiatic,  American,  and  African;  all  very 
active,  predatory  fishes,  highly  valued  as  food,  and  many  of  them 
possessing  good  game  qualities.  In  our  waters  there  are  about  20  spe- 
cies, most  of  them  food-fishes  of  importance. 

a.  Top  of  head  scaled viridis,  406 

aa.  Top  of  head  not  scaled. 

b.  Dorsal  spines  10. 

c.  Vomerine  teeth  in  a  diamond-shaped  patch jordani,  407 

cc.  Vomerine  patch  of  teeth  f -shaped,  or  /\-shaped,  not  diamond- 
shaped. 

d.  Soft  dorsal  normally  with  14  rays,  rarely  13. 

e.  Anal  fin  rounded,  its  middle  rays  less  than  £  length  of  head;  no 

large  black  lateral  spot. 

/.   Gill-rakers  7  to  9,  usually  with  few  rudiments  if  any. 
g.  Vomerine  teeth  forming  a  /\-  or  a   /^-shaped  patch,  the  backward 

prolongation  on  median  line  very  short  or  wanting. 

h.  Maxillary  2f  in  head ;  preorbital  =>£ novemfasciatus,  407 

hh.  Maxillary  2-f  in  head ;  preorbital  4| cyanopterus,  407 

gg.   Vomerine  teeth  forming  an  anchor-shaped  patch  with  a  distinct 

backward  prolongation  on  the  median  line. 
/.  Scales  above  lateral  line  arranged  in  series  not  parallel  with  lateral 

line,  being  oblique  and  irregular,  at  least  below  second  dorsal. 
j.   Body  comparatively  elongate,  the  depth  2|  to  3  in  length. 

griseus,  407 

//'.   Body  deeper,  the  depth  about  2\  in  length. 
k.  Scales  moderate,  about  9  in  an  oblique  series  from  first  dorsal  to 

lateral  line,  about  55  in  lateral  line jocu,  408 

kk.  Scales  unusually  large,  only  5  or  6  in  an  oblique  series  from  first 

dorsal  to  lateral  line,  about  45  in  lateral  line apodus,  409 

405 


The  Snappers  or  Pargos 

ii.  Scales  above  lateral  line  in  horizontal  series  which  are  throughout 

more  or  less  parallel  with  it argentiventris,  409 

ff.  Gill-rakers   more  numerous,    about    10,    with   several   rudiments 

before  them  buccanella,  409 

ee.  Anal  fin  angulated,  its  middle  rays  produced,  the  longest  in  adult 

at  least  £  as  long  as  head;   a  black  lateral  blotch  in  young. 
/.  Scales  above  lateral  line  arranged  in  series  which  are  not  throughout 

parallel  with  it. 

m.  Teeth  on  vomer  in  an  anchor-shaped  patch,  with  a  median  back- 
ward prolongation. 

11.  Iris  golden  yellow  in  life;  scales  9-52-10 "vivanus,  410 

nn.  Iris  rose-red ;  scales  8-46-14 aya,  41 1 

mm.  Teeth  on  vomer  in  a /\-shaped  patch,  without  a  distinct  backward 

prolongation  on  median  line ana/is,  413 

//.  Scales  above  lateral  line  arranged  in  series  which  are  more  or  less 

distinctly  parallel  throughout  with  the  lateral  line. 

Colorado,  414 

dd.  Soft  dorsal  with  12  rays,  rarely  13. 

o.   Mouth  moderate,  maxillary  2|  in  head;  caudal  deeply  forked. 
p.   Vomerine  teeth  in  an  anchor-shaped  patch,  with  a  distinct  backward 

prolongation  on  median  line guttatus,  414 

pp.  Vomerine  teeth  in  a  /\-  or  'f -shaped  patch,   the  prolongation  on 

median  line  very  short  or  wanting. 
q.   Eye  small,   5  in   head;    back  less  elevated;    pectoral  short,    i£  in 

head synagris,  4 1 5 

oo.  Mouth  large,  maxillary  2|  in  head mabogoni,  41 5 

bb.  Dorsal  spines  1 1 afatus,  416 

Lutianus  viridis  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from  the  Galapagos, 


406 


_. 

< 

IETO. 

ATUR 

y. 

z 

Q_ 

j. 

o 

n 

0 

1— 

tr 

b 

£ 

o 

CD 

r»* 

< 

00 


Gray  Snapper ;  Mangrove  Snapper 

Tres  Marias,  and  Revillagigedo  islands.  Nothing  distinctive  is  known 
of  its  habits.  Colour,  golden  brown,  with  5  sky-blue  longitudinal 
stripes,  each  broadly  margined  with  darker  blue;  a  faint  median  blue 
streak  from  occiput  to  front  of  dorsal. 

Lutianus  jordani  is  known  only  from  Panama,  where  it  is  some- 
times taken  in  considerable  numbers.  It  is  a  strongly  marked  species, 
quite  unlike  any  other,  reaching  a  length  of  less  than  2  feet.  It  may 
be  readily  distinguished  from  any  other  species  by  the  diamond- 
shaped  patch  of  vomerine  teeth.  Colour,  dark  purplish  olive,  scales 
with  silvery  spots. 

Lutianus  novemfasciatus  is  known  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  tropi- 
cal America,  from  Guaymas  and  Cape  San  Lucas  to  Panama;  gener- 
ally common,  and  a  large  and  valued  food-fish,  reaching  a  weight  of 
20  pounds.  It  is  called  pargo  prieto. 

Colour,  back  and  sides  very  dark  olive-brown,  the  back  with  a  slaty 
tinge,  the  sides  often  with  some  faint  purplish;  belly  and  lower  parts 
of  head  white;  inside  of  mouth  reddish  yellow. 

Lutianus  cyanopterus  is  found  from  Brazil  north  to  Cuba.  It  is 
rather  common  and  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  4  feet,  being  a  large, 
coarse  fish,  regarded  as  unwholesome  by  fishermen. 

Colour,  dusky-gray,  paler  below,  the  belly  sometimes  reddish; 
membranes  of  vertical  fins  grayish  black,  especially  anal  and  soft 
dorsal;  ventrals  blackish  at  tip;  pectorals  plain  olivaceous;  head 
dusky  above,  without  markings. 


Gray  Snapper;  Mangrove  Snapper 

Lutianus  griseus  (Linnaeus) 

This  is  one  of  the  most  widely  distributed,  most  abundant,  and 
best  known  of  all  the  snappers.  It  is  found  throughout  the  West 
Indies,  is  abundant  on  the  Florida  coast,  and  strays  northward  to  New 
Jersey  and  Woods  Hole.  It  is  generally  known  as  the  gray  snapper, 
but  in  Florida  and  the  Bahamas,  where  the  coasts  are  mangrove-lined, 
it  is  called  the  mangrove  snapper;  while  in  the  West  Indies  among 
the  Spanish-speaking  people  it  is  the  cabellerote  or  pargo  prieto.  It 
inhabits  waters  of  different  depths,  large  examples  often  being  found 
near  the  shore,  while  others  equally  large  are  often  taken  at  considera- 
ble depths  in  company  with  the  red  snapper.  Those  from  deep  water 

407 


Dog  Snapper;  Jocu 

are  usually  redder  than  .shallow-water  examples.  In  Indian  River, 
Florida,  the  mangrove  snapper  is  regarded  as  an  excellent  food-fish, 
and  is  an  important  commercial  fish. 

Its  average  weight  there  is  about  2  pounds,  and  the  maximum 
about  6  or  7  pounds.  At  Key  West  it  is  the  most  abundant  of  all  the 
snappers,  and  attains  a  length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  18  pounds, 
though  the  average  weight  does  not  exceed  5  pounds.  Here  it  is 
called  gray  snapper,  and  is  regarded  as  a  warm-water  fish,  being  found 
in  shallow  water  in  summer,  and  retiring  to  deeper  water  in  winter. 
It  is  said  always  to  run  in  schools,  and  to  spawn  in  July  and  August, 
usually  on  the  shoals,  the  eggs  being  non-adhesive  and  separating 
readily  from  each  other  at  spawning. 

All  the  snappers  are  game-fishes  of  considerable  importance,  and 
the  gray  snapper  is  one  of  the  very  best.  Its  abundance  and  wide 
distribution,  the  ease  with  which  it  may  be  found  at  all  seasons,  to- 
gether with  the  readiness  and  vigour  with  which  it  takes  the  hook 
and  the  fairly  good  fight  which  it  makes,  should  cause  this  fish  to  be 
much  sought  after  by  the  anglers  who  visit  our  Southern  and  tropical 
waters.  One  of  the  best  places  to  find  it  of  which  we  know  is  in 
Indian  River,  from  Indian  River  Inlet  southward.  Another  is  in  Jack 
Channel  near  Key  West,  where  very  large  ones  can  be  taken  by  using 
sardines  and  pilchards  for  bait. 

Colour,  very  dark  green  above,  middle  part  of  each  scale  brassy 
black,,  the  edge  broadly  pearly  white;  below  lateral  line  the  duskiness 
of  middle  of  scale  becomes  brassy,  and  lower  grayish;  blue  stripe 
below  eye  in  very  young;  top  of  head  blackish  olive;  dorsal  fin  bluish 
black;  caudal  violaceous  or  maroon-black,  or  bluish;  anal  rosy;  pec- 
toral pale  flesh-colour.  Fishes  from  deep  water  are  much  redder. 


Dog  Snapper;  Jocu 

Lutianus  jocu  (Bloch  &  Schneider) 

This  excellent  food-fish  is  known  from  Bahia  north  to  the  Florida 
Keys,  occasionally  straying  north  to  Woods  Hole.  At  Key  West, 
where  it  is  not  very  common,  it  reaches  a  weight  of  20  pounds, 
though  the  average  is  much  smaller.  It  is  found  most  frequently  in 
fall  and  winter  about  Key  West.  It  does  not  seem  to  be  abundant 
about  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  called  pargo  Colorado. 

Colour,  olivaceous  above,  rosy  or  brick-red  on  side,  paler  below, 

408 


DOG  SNAPPER,  Lutianus  jocu 


SCHOOLMASTER,  Lutianus  apodus 


Schoolmaster;  Caji 

much  flushed  so  that  the  general  hue  is  coppery  red;  side  with  very 
narrow  light  cross-bars;  a  line  of  small  round  bluish  spots  below  eye 
and  across  opercle;  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  brick-red,  the  soft  dorsal 
dusky  at  base;  anal  and  ventrals  yellowish. 

Schoolmaster;  Caji 

Lutianus  apodus  (Walbaum) 

The  schoolmaster  is  one  of  the  most  richly  coloured  and  beautiful 
of  the  snappers,  and  is  withal  a  very  interesting  and  attractive  fish. 
It  is  known  from  Bahia  northward  through  the  West  Indies  to 
southern  Florida.  It  sometimes  strays  in  the  Gulf  Stream  to  Woods 
Hole.  It  is  found  at  Key  West  and  in  Indian  River,  but  is  not  com- 
mon in  either  place.  It  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  snappers  about 
Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  known  as  pargo  amarilla.  The  species  attains 
a  weight  of  7  or  8  pounds,  though  the  average  is  3  pounds  or  less.  It 
takes  the  hook  readily  and  with  vigor,  and  good  sport  may  be  had 
with  it  "  down  the  bay"  near  Key  West. 

Colour  of  adult,  reddish  brown  on  back  and  top  of  head,  becom- 
ing brighter  orange-red  on  side,  more  orange  below;  side  with  about 
9  broad  greenish  white  vertical  bars  from  back  to  lower  part  of  side; 
top  of  caudal  peduncle  with  a  large  blackish  blotch;  a  series  of  small 
round  dark  spots  below  eye;  fins  all  greenish  yellow,  the  caudal  with 
some  orange;  young  with  a  sharply  defined  blue  stripe  below  eye 
from  snout  to  angle  of  opercle. 

Lutianus  argentiventris,  the  pargo  amarilla,  is  found  on  our 
Pacific  coast  from  Mazatlan  southward.  It  resembles  the  schoolmas- 
ter, the  dog  snapper,  and  the  gray  snapper,  but  is  apparently  distinct 
from  all  of  these,  the  chief  difference  being  that  the  scales  above  the 
lateral  line  are  in  series  parallel  with  it. 

It  reaches  a  length  of  2  feet,  is  generally  common,  and  is  a  good 
food-fish. 

Black-fin   Snapper 

Lutianus   buccanella    (Cuvier   &  Valenciennes) 

This  is  a  small  and  strongly  marked  species,  occurring  in  the 
West  Indies  and  common  in  deep  water  about  Havana,  in  the  market 
of  which  it  is  known  as  sesi  or  sesi  de  lo  alto. 

409 


Silk  Snapper 

Colour,  crimson  in  life,  silvery  below  but  flushed  with  crimson; 
axil  and  base  of  pectoral  jet-black;  eye  orange;  dorsal  crimson,  its 
edge  scarlet;  caudal  orange-yellow,  this  colour  extending  upon  the 
caudal  peduncle;  last  rays  of  soft  dorsal  and  most  of  anal  and  ventrals 
yellow;  pectoral,  base  of  anal,  and  ventral  spine  pinkish. 


Silk  Snapper 

Lutianus  vivanus   (Cuvier   &   Valenciennes) 

This  handsome  snapper  is  found  in  the  West  Indies  and  is  rather 
common  about  Havana,  where  it  is  known  as  pargo  de  lo  alto.  It 
reaches  a  foot  or  more  in  length  and  is  of  food-value.  When  fresh 
it  may  always  be  known  by  the  bright  yellow  colour  of  the  eye,  a 
colour  which  does  not  entirely  fade  in  spirits. 

Colour  in  life,  bright  rose,  paler  beloW;  some  narrow,  undulating, 
light  golden  streaks  following  the  rows  of  scales  above  the  lateral  line; 
mouth  reddish  within ;  traces  of  a  dark  lateral  spot  in  some  specimens ; 
dorsal  rosy,  pale  at  the  base,  its  edge  yellow;  caudal  rosy,  dusky  pos- 
teriorly, the  tip  sometimes  blood-red;  pectoral  pale  yellow;  ventrals 
and  anal  pale  rosy,  the  latter  yellowish  posteriorly. 

Red  Snapper 

Lutianus  aya   (Bloch) 

Of  all  the  snappers,  this  is  by  far  the  most  important  and  best 
known.  It  reaches  a  length  of  2  to  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  10  to  35 
pounds.  Its  range  extends  from  Long  Island  to  Brazil,  but  its  centre 
of  abundance  is  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  in  rather  deep  water  on  the 
rocky  banks  off  the  west  coast  of  Florida  and  the  coasts  of  Campeche 
and  Yucatan.  On  the  American  coast  it  is  known  everywhere  as  the 
red  snapper.  To  the  Spaniards  it  is  the  pargo  Colorado,  while  in  the 
Havana  market  it  is  the  pargo  guachinango,  or  Mexican  snapper,  be- 
cause it  is  brought  to  that  city  from  the  Mexican  coast.  It  is  not  com- 
mon in  Cuban  and  Porto  Rican  waters,  and  appears  to  be  rare  off  the 
coast  of  Brazil.  Off  the  east  coast  of  Florida  and  the  coast  of  Georgia 
it  is  abundant. 

410 


O 
O 

I 
O 
CO 


Red  Snapper 

The  history  of  the  growth  of  the  red-snapper  fishery  is  an  inter- 
esting one.  In  the  late  forties  or  early  fifties  some  New  London  fisher- 
men ventured  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  with  their  small  sloops  such  as 
they  used  in  the  cod  fisheries,  none  over  1 5  or  20  tons  measurement. 
They  fell  in  with  the  red  snappers  off  the  west  coast  of  Florida,  and 
made  good  catches,  which  they  marketed  at  New  Orleans  at  good 
prices.  Others  Were  induced  to  leave  the  whirling  tide-rips  of  the 
Vineyard  Shoals  and  wet  a  line  on  the  Snapper  Banks.  Later,  winter 
voyages  were  made,  in  better  and  more  fully  equipped  smacks,  and 
these  for  a  time  held  a  monopoly  of  the  trade.  This  trade,  however, 
was  local  and  mostly  retail,  in  New  Orleans  and  Mobile,  and  not  until 
in  the  early  seventies  was  an  effort  made  to  extend  the  trade.  This 
was  by  the  Pensacola  Ice  Company  and  by  Warren  &  Stearns  of  Pensa- 
cola,  while  the  Hon.  Eugene  Blackford  was  active  in  introducing  the 
red  snapper  into  the  New  York  trade.  The  business  grew  rapidly,  and 
in  1898  there  were  engaged  in  the  red-snapper  fishery  in  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  more  than  40  vessels. 

At  first  the  smacks  were  provided  with  wells  in  which  the  fish 
could  be  kept  alive,  but  now  ice  is  used  and  the  fish  are  put  upon  the 
market  in  better  condition.  Pensacola  is  the  centre  of  the  red-snapper 
trade.  From  this  place  the  smacks  make  voyages  to  the  Tortugas  and 
the  Campeche  banks,  some  700  miles  distant. 

The  fish  are  found  by  continually  throwing  the  lead  when  the 
smack  has,  by  dead  reckoning,  reached  the  vicinity  of  a  bank.  A 
man  standing  on  the  weather-rail,  supporting  himself  by  a  hold  on  the 
main-shroud,  swings  the  line,  to  which  is  attached  a  baited  hook  and 
a  9-pound  lead.  He  releases  it  as  it  swings  under  and  forward,  and 
lets  it  swing  to  the  bottom,  and  40  fathoms  depth  is  reached  as  the 
hand  of  the  leadsman  comes  over  the  lead,  although  the  vessel  maybe 
moving  forward  3  or  4  knots  an  hour. 

If  fish  are  present  and  hungry,  they  snatch  at  the  hook,  and  one  is 
brought  to  the  surface.  As  soon  as  a  bite  is  announced,  a  dory,  with 
one  man  provided  with  fishing-gear,  is  at  once  launched,  and  if  the 
fish  bite  well  the  smack  is  brought  back  to  the  spot  and  either  an- 
chored or  permitted  to  drift  broadside  across  the  ground.  When  she 
drifts  away  from  the  fish  she  is  again  worked  to  windward,  and  the 
same  process  repeated  until  the  fish  cease  biting  or  the  fare  is  com- 
pleted. This  process  of  sounding  is  sometimes  followed  all  day  with- 
out success;  and  again,  the  fish  are  quickly  found.  Sometimes  six 
men  will  catch  a  thousand  fish  in  a  few  hours,  and  at  other  times  two 

411 


Mutton-fish 

or  three  hundred  fish  will  be  the  limit  of  a  day's  hard  sounding  and 
patient  fishing.  When  the  snappers  are  spawning,  they  often  are 
so  abundant  around  the  smack  as  to  colour  the  water,  but  refuse 
to  take  the  hook,  and  in  such  times  the  only  recourse  is  to  search  for 
other  schools.  The  fare  is  taken  to  Pensacolaas  promptly  as  possible, 
packed  in  ice,  and  shipped  to  many  points  in  the  North  and  West, 
from  Boston  to  Denver  and  from  Texas  to  the  Great  Lakes.  So 
widely  are  they  shipped  that,  as  one  dealer  aptly  remarks,  "  No  man 
who  is  willing  to  buy  a  red  snapper  has  lacked  the  opportunity." 

Colour  in  life,  deep  rose-red,  paler  on  throat;  bluish  streaks  along 
rows  of  scales,  above  becoming  fainter  and  disappearing  with  age;  fins 
brick-red;  dorsal  bordered  with  orange,  with  a  narrow  blackish  edge; 
caudal  narrowly  edged  with  blackish;  a  large  blackish  blotch  above  lat- 
eral line  and  below  front  rays  of  soft  dorsal  in  the  young,  usually  dis- 
appearing with  age;  axil  of  pectoral  dusky;  eye  red.  The  intensity  of 
colour  in  this  species  varies  much  with  the  locality.  Specimens  from 
Porto  Rico  have  the  general  colour  paler  and  the  black  lateral  blotch 
more  persistent. 

Mutton-fish 

Lutianus  analis  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

This  snapper,  which  is  also  called  pargo  or  pargo  criollo,  reaches 
2  feet  or  more  in  length  and  a  weight  of  25  pounds,  and  is  found  from 
Pensacola  to  Brazil,  straying  occasionally  northward  in  the  Gulf 
Stream  to  Woods  Hole.  It  is  common  at  Key  West,  and  in  the 
Havana  markets  it  is  the  most  important  food-fish,  being  always  abun- 
dant and  highly  esteemed.  About  Key  West  it  is  found  on  rock  bottom 
in  3  to  9  fathoms,  and  is  caught  with  hook  and  line.  They  are  quite 
gamy,  taking  the  hook  promptly  and  fighting  well.  They  are  found 
throughout  the  year,  but  are  scarcest  in  July  and  August,  which  is  their 
spawning-time;  the  eggs  are  non-adhesive  and  the  size  of  a  ripe-grain. 

In  Porto  Rico  this  species  is  highly  esteemed.  It  is  called 
sama  or  pargo  criollo.  It  is  usually  taken  in  the  fish-traps  set  in  5  to 
20  fathoms,  though  considerable  numbers  of  the  smaller  individuals 
are  caught  with  the  haul-seines  in  shallow  water  along  the  shore. 

Colour  in  life,  dark  olive-green  above,  many  of  the  scales  with 
pale  blue  spots,  these  forming  irregular  oblique  streaks  upward  and 
backward;  similar  stripes  more  regular  and  numerous  on  caudal 

412 


MUTTON-FISH,  Lutianus  analis 


LANE  SNAPPER,  Lutianus  synagris 


Pargo  Colorado 

peduncle  and  above  anal;  in  old  fishes  these  blue  spots  and  streaks 
disappear;  belly  white,  strongly  tinged  with  brick-red;  about  6  nar- 
row, dusky  vertical  bars,  a  little  broader  than  the  interspaces  and  not 
well  defined,  between  gill-opening  and  anal;  head  bronze-olive,  darker 
above;  a  broad,  undulating,  pearly  streak  from  snout  below  eye  to 
upper  edge  of  gill-opening;  a  narrow  blue  streak  from  eye  to  nostril; 
iris  fiery  red;  pectorals,  caudal,  anal,  and  ventrals  brick-red,  the  caudal 
narrowly  margined  with  black  and  somewhat  bronze  above;  dorsal 
reddish  along  the  rays  and  tips  of  membranes,  otherwise  yellowish; 
a  distinct  lateral  blotch  just  above  lateral  line  and  below  the  first  soft 
ray  of  dorsal,  about  as  large  as  pupil,  smaller  than  in  other  species 
similarly  marked,  and  seldom  disappearing  with  age;  axil  and  bar 
across  base  of  pectoral  above  pale  or  dusky  olive. 


Pargo  Colorado 

Lutianus  Colorado  Jordan  &  Gilbert 

This  species  reaches  the  length  of  2\  feet,  and  occurs  on  our 
Pacific  coast  from  Guaymas  to  Panama.  It  is  a  common  food-fish  on 
that  coast,  and  is  highly  esteemed. 

Colour  in  life,  dark  olivaceous  above,  each  scale  with  the  basal 
half  dark  olive-brown;  head  and  lower  parts  of  body  bright  red,  espe- 
cially bright  on  lower  parts  of  head,  the  colour  extending  on  the  sides 
for  a  varying  distance;  upper  jaw  and  maxillary  reddish;  upper  parts 
of  head  dark  olivaceous;  scales  on  sides  of  head  without  dark  spots; 
a  much-interrupted  light  blue  line  from  middle  of  preorbital  along 
suborbital,  rarely  extending  behind  the  orbit;  cheek  sometimes  with 
bluish  spots  or  lines;  inside  of  mouth  red;  vertical  tins  very  dark, 
with  more  or  less  reddish ;  spinous  dorsal  with  a  broad  median  streak 
of  very  light  slaty  blue;  pectoral  and  ventrals  reddish,  the  latter  with 
dusky. 

Flamenco 

Lutianus  guttatus  (Steindachner) 

This  snapper  occurs  on  the  Pacific  roast  from  Guaymas  to 
Panama.  It  is  a  small  species,  rarely  exceeding  a  foot  in  length,  and 

413 


Lane  Snapper 

is  a  common  food-fish  at  Guaymas,  Mazatlan,  and  Panama.  It'is  the 
Pacific  coast  representative  of  the  lane  snapper,  which  it  somewhat 
resembles. 

Colour  in  spirits,  brown  above,  the  sides  bright  silvery;  a  large 
round  black  lateral  blotch,  as  large  as  eye,  on  lateral  line  below  front 
of  soft  dorsal;  each  scale  above  lateral  line  with  a  faint  darker  grayish 
median  spot,  these  forming  oblique  streaks;  side  of  head  often  with 
similar  spots;  2  or  3  similar  streaks  often  present  below  lateral  line, 
these  straight  and  horizontal;  each  series  of  scales  below  lateral  line 
with  a  narrow  yellowish  stripe;  snout  and  preorbital  with  dark  ver- 
miculations;  fins  all  pale.  In  life,  light  olivaceous  above,  the  markings 
bronze-olive;  side  pale  crimson,  the  marks  more  yellow;  belly  golden 
yellow;  iris  scarlet,  eye  surrounded  by  yellow;  first  dorsal  reddish, 
second  with  reddish  brown  markings;  caudal  deep  rich  red;  lower 
fins  golden;  pectoral  nearly  colourless;  side  of  head  pink  with  golden 
stripes. 

Lane  Snapper 

Lutiamis  synagris  (Linnaeus) 

This  beautiful  species,  also  known  as  the  red-tailed  snapper,  is 
found  from  Tampa  to  Colon  and  Brazil.  It  is  common  almost  every- 
where throughout  its  range,  and  in  Havana,  where  it  is  one  of  the 
most  popular  food-fishes,  it  is  scarcely  exceeded  in  abundance  by  any 
other  species.  Its  strongly  marked  colouration  renders  it  easy  of 
recognition. 

Colour  in  life,  rose,  tinged  with  silvery  below,  slightly  olivaceous 
but  not  dark  above;  a  large  round  maroon  blotch,  larger  than  eye, 
just  above  lateral  line  and  below  front  of  soft  dorsal;  series  of  deep 
golden  yellow  stripes  along  side,  3  on  head,  the  upper  from  snout 
through  eye,  and  about  10  on  body,  the  lower  nearly  straight  and 
horizontal,  the  upper  undulating  and  irregular,  extending  upward  and 
backward;  belly  white,  its  sides  largely  yellowish;  lips  red;  maxil- 
lary partly  yellow;  tongue  yellowish;  iris  fiery  red;  caudal  deep  blood- 
red;  spinous  dorsal  nearly  transparent,  with  a  marginal  and  basal  band 
of  golden;  pectoral  pinkish;  young  quite  green  above. 

The  lane  snapper  reaches  a  maximum  weight  of  about  4  pounds, 
though  the  average  of  those  brought  to  the  Key  West  market  is  not 
above  %  pound.  The  largest  seen  in  Porto  Rico  was  14  inches 

414 


1  5 

\-  < 

3  5 

o  I 

CD 

tt  # 

._  D 

I  O 

W5  CD 

U.  < 

I 

I 


Mahogany  Snapper 

long  and  weighed  about  2  pounds.     About  this  island  it  is  known  as 
manchego,  mancheva,  or  raiado,  and  is  highly  esteemed  as  a  food-fish. 


Mahogany  Snapper 

Lutianus  mahogoni  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

This  is  a  small  snapper  occurring  in  the  West  Indies.  It  is 
rather  common  in  the  markets  of  Havana,  where  it  is  known  as 
ojanco,  in  allusion  to  the  large  eye.  It  does  not  exceed  8  or  10  inches 
in  length. 

Colour  in  life,  deep  brown,  silvery  below,  everywhere  shaded 
with  red,  especially  on  head;  eye,  which  is  3!  in  head,  scarlet;  a  large 
blackish  blotch  on  side,  chiefly  above  lateral  line  and  below  first  rays 
of  soft  dorsal;  maxillary  yellow  on  covered  parts;  narrow  bronze 
streaks  following  rows  of  scales,  these  most  distinct  above  lateral  line; 
dorsal  fin  pale,  edged  with  blood-red;  caudal  deep  red;  anal,  ventrals, 
and  pectorals  scarlet;  the  bright  colours  fade  and  disappear  in  spirits, 
leaving  the  back  dark  gray,  the  lower  part  silvery,  more  or  less  flushed 
with  red. 

Pargo  de  Raizero 

Lutianus  aratus  (Gunther) 

This  species  occurs  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  tropical  America  from 
Panama  to  Mazatlan.  It  is  a  handsome  fish,  looking  quite  unlike  the 
other  species  of  the  genus,  and  is  generally  common.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  2  feet,  and  is  a  good  food-fish. 

Colour  in  spirits,  dark  brown,  somewhat  paler  below;  centre  of 
each  scale  yellowish  silvery,  these  forming  conspicuous  silvery  streaks 
along  the  back  and  sides,  most  distinct  near  the  middle  of  the  body; 
fins  grayish,  rather  pale;  membrane  of  soft  dorsal  dusky;  ventrals 
dusky  at  tips ;  young  with  pale  cross-bands  formed  by  enlargement 
of  the  silvery  spots  in  certain  regions.  Colour  in  life,  dark  green,  the 
dark  stripes  on  side  dark  brown,  the  interspaces  yellowish  white; 
belly  coppery  red;  some  bluish  on  cheek;  pectoral  maroon-red:  ven- 
trals salmon-red,  the  first  ray  white;  anal  creamy  red. 

415 


The  Rabirubias 

GENUS  OCYURUS  GILL 

The   Rabirubias 

This  genus  is  allied  to  Lutianus,  from  which  it  differs  notably 
in  the  structure  of  the  skull,  especially  in  the  forward  extension  of  the 
fronto-occipital  crest.  The  single  species  shows  numerous  minor  pe- 
culiarities, as  in  the  form  of  the  body,  the  large,  well-forked  tail,  the 
small  head,  the  increased  number  of  gill-rakers,  and  the  presence  of 
pterygoid  teeth. 

The  single  species  of  this  genus  is  the  yellowtail  or  rabirubia,  O. 
chrysurus.  The  yellowtail  is  found  from  southern  Florida  to  Brazil, 
and  is  generally  abundant.  It  is  known  from  Biscayne  Bay,  Key 
West,  and  nearly  all  the  West  Indies.  At  Key  West,  where  it  is 
known  as  yellowtail  and  rabirubia,  it  is  even  more  abundant  than 
the  lane  snapper,  and  is  the  principal  fish  served  at  the  hotels  and 
boarding-houses  in  the  fall.  It  is  said  to  be  plentiful  throughout  the 
year  except  during  the  winter,  when  cold  weather  drives  them  to  deep 
water.  During  the  warmer  weather  they  are  found  at  a  depth  of  2 
fathoms  or  more,  usually  in  about  5  fathoms,  and  generally  about 
shoals  where  there  is  some  mud  bottom.  The  spawning-time  is  said 
to  be  in  July,  when  they  are  found  about  the  reefs  from  Miami  to  the 
Tortugas. 

In  Porto  Rico  it  is  called  Colombia,  and  is  an  abundant  and  impor- 
tant food-fish.  It  attains  a  length  of  2  feet  and  a  weight  of  several 
pounds.  At  Key  West  the  average  weight  is  not  more  than  a 
pound. 

As  a  game-fish  it  is  not  without  merit,  it  being  a  ready  biter  and 
a  vigorous  fighter.  The  commercial  fishermen  catch  it  with  hook  and 
line,  using  sardines  for  bait.  At  Key  West  it  is  hawked  about  the 
streets  in  the  early  morning,  and  just  at  the  hour  when  one  most 
desires  to  sleep,  his  slumbers  are  broken  by  the  monotonous  cry, 
"  Yallertail— rabirubia!  Yallertail— rabirubia!"  first  faint  and  distant, 
then  growing  stronger  and  stronger,  passing  under  your  window  a 
distracting  yell,  and  then  gradually  dying  away  as  the  peripatetic  ven- 
der of  the  luscious  "  yallertail  "  vanishes  down  the  street. 

Colour  in  life,  olivaceous  above,  rather  pale  and  somewhat  violet- 
tinged;  a  number  of  large,  irregular  deep  yellow  blotches  on  side  of 
back;  a  deep  yellow  stripe  from  tip  of  snout  straight  through  eye  to 
caudal  peduncle,  there  broadening  and  including  all  of  tail  above  lateral 

416 


YELLOW-TAIL,  Ocyurus  chrysurus 


YELLOW-TAIL,  Ocyurus  chrysurus 


Rhomboplites 

line  and  behind  dorsal  fin;  above  this  a  pearly  purplish  area;  below  it 
a  flesh-coloured  or  rosy  area  or  band  2  scales  broad,  then  a  succession 
of  about  1 6  narrow  streaks  alternately  flesh-coloured  and  yellow, 
growing  fainter  progressively  below;  edges  of  scales  yellow,  their 
centres  reddish ;  iris  fiery  red ;  lower  parts  of  head  flesh-colour,  with 
some  yellow  spots;  maxillary  mostly  yellow;  caudal  deep  yellow,  its 
edge  reddish;  dorsal  chiefly  yellow;  anal  faintly  yellow. 


GENUS  RHOMBOPLITES  GILL 

This  genus  differs  from  Lutianus  chiefly  in  cranial  characters  and 
in  the  extension  of  the  villiform  teeth  over  the  pterygoid  and  hyoid 
bones.  The  form  of  the  patch  of  vomerine  teeth  is  also  somewhat 
peculiar.  The  genus  contains  but  a  single  species,  R.  aurorubens,  the 
cagon  de  lo  alto  of  our  Spanish  fishermen.  It  is  found  from  Rio 
Janeiro  northward  through  the  West  Indies  to  the  Carolina  coast, 


being  probably  most  abundant  about  Cuba  and  on  the  Snapper  Banks 
off  the  west  coast  of  Florida.  It  is,  however,  nowhere  very  common, 
but  is  a  good  food-fish.  Colour  in  life,  vermilion  above,  paler  below, 
faint  brown  lines  running  obliquely  downward  and  forward,  following 
the  rows  of  scales;  side  with  narrow  sinuous  streaks  of  golden 
yellow,  some  of  them  longitudinal,  others  oblique;  dorsal  rosy,  its 

417 


Apsilus 

margin  chiefly  orange;  anal  pale  at  base,  rosy  at  extremity;  pectoral 
yellowish;  ventrals  rosy;  caudal  and  iris  vermilion;  inside  of  mouth 
dusky. 

GENUS  APSILUS  CUVIER  &  1/ALENCIENNES 

This  very  distinct  genus  has  the  cranial  characters  of  Rhombo- 
plites,  with  the  scaleless  fins,  peculiar  squamation,  and  dentition  of 
Aprion.  There  are  no  teeth  on  the  pterygoids,  tongue,  or  hyoid  bones. 
The  dorsal  fin  is  short. 

In  our  waters  there  is  but  the  single  species,  A.  dentatus,  the 
arnillo  of  the  Havana  fishermen.  It  is  known  only  from  the  West 
Indies,  and  is  not  uncommon  in  the  Havana  market.  It  reaches  a  foot 
in  length,  and  is  a  very  beautiful  little  fish,  easily  distinguished  by  the 
generic  characters  given  above.  In  life  this  species  is  dusky-violet 
above,  and  on  sides  paler;  inside  of  mouth  and  all  the  fins  similar  in 
colour,  the  anal  and  ventrals  with  blackish  tips;  soft  dorsal  with  some 
olive  shades,  the  edge  grayish. 


GENUS  ETELIS  CUVIER  &  VALENCIENNES 

In  this  genus  the  dorsal  fin  is  nearly  or  quite  divided  into  2  fins 
by  a  deep  notch,  the  eye  very  large,  and  the  preorbital  very  narrow. 
It  is  very  closely  related  to  Aprion,  the  skull  in  the  two  being  almost 
identical. 

418 


Verilus 

There  are  only  two  American  species,  and  but  one  of  these  of  any 
importance.  E.  oculatus,  known  in  Porto  Rico  as  cachucho,  occurs 
in  the  West  Indies  and  about  Madeira,  but  is  not  yet  known  from 
Florida  or  elsewhere  on  the  mainland.  It  is  a  species  which  prefers 
rather  deep  water  and  rocky  bottom.  It  is  a  beautiful  species,  reach- 
ing a  length  of  2  to  3  feet,  and  is  an  excellent  food-fish. 

Colour  in  life,  nearly  everywhere  bright  red;  pale  in  spirits,  the 
red  nowhere  persisting. 


GENUS  VERILUS  POEY 

This  genus  is  technically  close  to  Etelis,  although  the  single 
known  species  is  quite  different  in  appearance  from  Etelis  oculatus. 
The  cavernous  character  of  the  skull  is  the  most  striking  feature, 
which,  with  the  nearly  divided  dorsal,  readily  distinguishes  it. 

The  only  known  species  is  the  escolar  chino  (y.  sordidus)  of 
the  Havana  market.  It  is  a  rather  deep-water  species,  known  only 
from  the  coasts  of  Cuba. 

Colour,  dusky-gray,  slightly  paler  below;  tips  of  spinous  dorsal 


and  ventrals  jet-black,  the  fins  otherwise  coloured  as  the  body;  poste- 
rior edge  of  caudal  dusky;  lining  of  gill-cavity,  peritoneum,  and  pos- 
terior part  of  mouth  jet-black. 


419 


THE  GRUNTS 

Family   LII.     Hcemulidce 

BODY  oblong,  more  or  less  elevated,  covered  with  moderate-sized 
scales  which  are  adherent  and  more  or  less  strongly  ctenoid  or  al- 
most cycloid;  lateral  line  well  developed,  concurrent  with  the  back, 
usually  not  extending  on  the  caudal  fin;  head  large,  the  crests  of 
the  skull  usually  largely  developed;  mouth  large  or  small,  usually 
low,  horizontal,  and  terminal;  premaxillaries  protractile;  no  supple- 
mental maxillary  bone;  teeth  all  pointed,  none  of  them  forming 
marked  canines;  no  teeth  on  vomer,  palatines,  or  tongue;  pseudo- 
branchiae  large ;  gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  oper- 
cle  without  spines;  side  of  head  usually  scaly;  dorsal  fin  continuous 
or  deeply  notched,  sometimes  divided  into  2  fins,  the  spines  usually 
strong,  depressible  in  a  groove,  the  spines  heteracanthous,  that  is, 
alternating,  the  one  stronger  on  the  right  side,  the  other  on  the  left; 
anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal,  with  3  spines;  caudal  usually  more  or  less 
concave  behind;  air-bladder  present. 

This  family  is  a  very  large  one,  the  species  being  very  numerous. 
They  are  all  carnivorous  fishes  chiefly  of  warm  seas,  and  most  of  them 
highly  valued  as  food.  Thirteen  genera  and  about  55  species  are 
represented  in  our  waters. 

a.  Chin  with  a  central  groove  behind  the  symphysis  of  the  lower  jaw. 

b.  Mouth  rather  wide,  the  jaws  scarlet  posteriorly  in  life;  soft  parts 

of  vertical  fins  densely  scaled  to  their  margins. 

c.  Jaws  subequal,  the  lower  included;  mouth  little  oblique;  gill-rakers 

comparatively  few  and  short. 

d.  Dorsal  spines  12,  rarely  1 1 Hcemulon,  421 

dd.  Dorsal  spines  13 Bathvstoma,  428 

cc.  Lower  jaw  projecting Lyfhrulon,  429 

bb.  Mouth  more  or  less  narrow,  not  scarlet  within ;  soft  parts  of  ver- 
tical fins  naked  or  with  scales  only  on  their  bases. 

e.  Anal  fin  short,  its  rays  III,  7  to  10;  dorsal  spines  rather  robust. 
/.  Body  ovate,  the  depth  greater  than  head ;    lips  thick. 

Anisotremus,  430 

ff.  Body  oblong,  the  depth  usually  less  than  length  of  head;  lips  not 
so  thick. 

g.  Soft  parts  of  dorsal  and  anal  with  series  of  small  scales  on  mem- 
branes   Brachydeuterus,  432 

gg.  Soft  parts  of  dorsal  and  anal  without  scales,  except  a  low  sheath 
at  base Pomadasis,  432 

ee.  Anal  fin  long  and  low,  its  rays  III,  10  to  13;  dorsal  fin  low,  not 
deeply  emarginate Orthopristis,  433 

420 


The  Roncos  or  Grunts 


GENUS   H/EMULON  CUJ/IER 

The   Roncos  or  Grunts 

Body  oblong,  usually  more  or  less  elevated  and  compressed; 
mouth  wide,  the  maxillary  long  and  curved,  reaching  below  eye; 
lower  jaw  included;  chin  with  a  central  groove;  teeth  of  jaws  coni- 
cal, the  outer  series  stronger  and  curved;  lips  and  inside  of  mouth 
posteriorly  usually  bright  red  or  scarlet  in  life;  preopercle  serrate,  no 
recurved  hooks  below;  soft  parts  of  vertical  fins  completely  scaled; 
dorsal  spines  12  or  n;  second  anal  spine  enlarged,  generally  larger 
and  longer  than  the  third;  caudal  forked. 

This  genus  has  many  species,  all  American.  All  have  more  or 
less  red  or  orange  inside  the  mouth,  the  amount  of  redness  being 
greatest  in  those  species  with  the  largest  mouths.  Nearly  all  the  spe- 
cies, when  young,  have  2  or  more  more  or  less  sharply  defined  dark 
longitudinal  stripes  along  the  side,  i  or  more  along  top  of  head,  and 
a  dark  spot  at  base  of  caudal.  In  a  few  species  these  markings  per- 
sist through  life. 

All  of  the  species  are  valued  as  food,  some  of  them  being  among 
our  most  important  fishes. 

a.  Scales  below  lateral  line  anteriorly  not  especially  enlarged. 

b.  Scales  above  lateral  line  anteriorly  not  much  enlarged. 

c.  Maxillary  2\  to  2|  in  head,  not  reaching  centre  of  eye  in  adult. 

d.  Back  and  sides  without  yellow  or  blue  stripes. 

e.  Seven  or  8  rows  of  scales  in  vertical  series  from  first  dorsal  spine  to 

lateral  line. 

/.   Mouth  rather  small,  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  eye. 

g.  Side  with  about  6  dark  vertical  bars sexfasciatum,  422 

gg.  Side  without  dark  vertical  bars album,  422 

ff.  Mouth  rather  large,  maxillary  reaching  pupil. .  .macrostomum,  423 

ee.  Five  or  6  rows  of  scales  in  a  vertical  series  from  first  dorsal  spine  to 
lateral  line. 

h.  Series  of  scales  from  scapular  scale  extending  backward  to  front  of 
soft  dorsal bonariense,  424 

hh.  Series  of  scales  from  scapular  scale  not  extending  farther  back- 
ward than  mjddle  of  spinous  dorsal. 

i.  Depth  of  body  about  2f  in  length;  pectoral  fin  short,  less  than  f 
length  of  head v parra,  424 

ii.  Depth  of  body  2\  in  length;  pectoral  fin  long,  more  than  \  length 
of  head scudderi,  425 

dd.  Back  and  sides  with  distinct  horizontal  yellow  stripes. 

carbonarium,  425 

421 


Margate-fish;  Margaret  Grunt 

cc.  Maxillary  nearly  or  quite  \  length  of  head,  reaching  centre  of  eye 

in  adult. 
_/.  Back  and  sides  with  rows  of  round  silvery  spots,  these  forming 

streaks  which  follow  the  rows  of  scales steindachneri,  425 

jj.  Back  and  sides  with  continuous  yellow  stripes  which   are  hori- 
zontal and  do  not  everywhere  follow  the  rows  of  scales. 

melanurum,  425 
jjj.  Back  and  sides  of  head  and  body  with  continuous  blue  stripes. 

sciurus,  426 

bb.  Scales  above  lateral  line  anteriorly  much  enlarged. .  .plumieri,  426 
aa.  Scales  below  lateral  line  anteriorly  much  enlarged. 

flcwolineatum,  427 

Hcemulon  sexfasciatum,  the  mojarra  almejero,  reaches  a  length  of 
2  feet  or  more.  It  is  found  on  our  Pacific  coast  from  Guaymas  to 
Panama.  It  is  not  very  abundant  but  is  a  good  food-fish.  It  is  the 
Pacific  coast  representative  of  the  margate-fish,  from  which,  however, 
it  differs  strikingly  in  colour. 

Colour,  pearly  gray,  with  6  or  7  sharply  defined  dusky  cross- 
bands  from  back  to  lower  part  of  side,  fading  below;  cheek,  opercles, 
and  anterior  part  of  side  with  distinct  roundish  spots  of  brownish 
black,  largest  and  best  defined  on  opercle;  fins  all  nearly  plain  dusky 
grayish. 

Margate-fish;  Margaret  Grunt 

Hcemulon  album  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes 

This  beautiful  and  important  fish  is  found  from  southern  Florida 
to  Brazil.  At  Key  West  it  is  a  common  and  valued  food-fish.  It 
attains  a  weight  of  8  or  10  pounds,  the  average  being  4  to  6  pounds.  It 
is  found  chiefly  in  deep  water,  most  abundantly  about  the  reefs.  It  is 
said  to  spawn  early  in  summer  on  rock  bottom,  at  which  time  it  is 
said  to  school.  At  night  it  comes  into  shallower  water  to  feed  upon 
crabs,  crawfish,  and  worms,  which  seem  to  be  its  principal  food. 
Cold  is  said  to  affect  this  fish  very  greatly,  driving  it  away  to  deeper 
or  warmer  water. 

The  name  margate-fish  appears  to  have  been  derived  from  Mar- 
gate, a  well-known  seaport  and  watering-place  in  England,  from 
which  some  of  the  "  conchs  "  or  natives  of  the  Bahamas  originally 
came.  In  the  Bahamas  and  at  Key  West  the  name  is  now  variously 
corrupted  into  margat,  market,  margaret,  and  margarite. 

422 


MARGATE-FISH,  Hcemulon  album 


BASTARD  MARGARET,  Hcemulon  parra 


Gray  Grunt;  Striped  Grunt 

Colour  in  life,  pearly  white,  olivaceous  above  and  on  sides,  some- 
what bluish  below;  edges  of  scales  above  darker;  small  whitish  spots 
on  centres  of  scales  between  nape  and  pectoral;  a  brownish  streak 
from  snout,  following  curve  of  back  and  ending  at  last  soft  ray  of 
dorsal;  another  from  forehead  above  eye,  curving  upward  across 
side,  then  downward,  and  under  last  dorsal  rays  joining  a  broader, 
more  distinct  dark  band  which  runs  straight  from  snout  through  eye 
and  along  middle  of  side  to  base  of  caudal;  belly  and  lower  part  of 
side  with  4  or  5  rows  of  small  pearly  spots;  fins  all  olivaceous, 
bluish,  the  soft  dorsal  and  caudal  darker  olivaceous. 


Gray  Grunt;  Striped  Grunt 

Hcemulon  macrostomum  Giinther 

This  grunt  is  found  from  Indian  River  and  Clearwater  Harbor, 
Florida,  southward  to  Jamaica  and  St.  Thomas,  but  does  not  appear 
very  common  anywhere.  Not  many  were  seen  in  Porto  Rico,  where 
it  is  known  as  corocoro.  It  reaches  a  foot  or  more  in  length  and  is  a 
good  food-fish. 

Colour  in  life,  body  dirty  silvery  with  about  9  dark  longitudinal 
streaks,  plainest  in  the  young;  a  median  stripe  from  snout  to  dorsal 
fin ;  first  and  second  lateral  stripes  from  above  eye  to  posterior  end  of 
soft  dorsal ;  third  from  upper  rim  of  orbit  to  vertical  of  posterior  end 


Bastard  Margaret;  Ronco 

of  soft  dorsal,  where  it  joins  the  fifth;  fourth,  which  is  usually  indis- 
tinct, from  eye  across  opercle  and  disappearing  on  middle  of  side; 
the  fifth  and  plainest  from  eye  along  middle  of  side,  crossing  lateral 
line,  and  joining  third  ends  at  base  of  caudal  above  lateral  line;  other 
lines  on  side  more  or  less  broken  and  indistinct;  head  dark  grayish 
purple;  an  inky  black  spot  on  inner  lower  edge  of  opercle;  lower  jaw 
flesh-colour,  with  numerous  fine  dark  specks;  dorsal,  caudal,  anal,  and 
pectoral  yellow,  dusky  at  base;  ventrals  dark;  inside  of  mouth  flesh- 
colour. 

Hcemulon  bonariense,  the  black  grunt  or  ronco  prieto,  is  found  in 
the  West  Indies  and  south  to  Buenos  Ayres.  It  is  not  known  from 
Florida,  and  does  not  appear  to  be  common  anywhere.  In  Porto  Rico, 
where  it  is  known  as  ronco  prieto  or  arrayado,  it  is  fairly  frequent  and 
is  highly  esteemed. 

Colour  in  spirits,  pearly  gray,  centre  of  each  scale  brownish  black, 
these  coalescing  and  forming  very  sharply  defined  continuous  undu- 
lating stripes,  about  16  between  front  of  dorsal  and  front  of  anal,  the 
sixth  extending  from  the  scapular  scale  to  last  dorsal  spine;  base  of 
caudal  blackish;  other  fins  dusky. 


Bastard    Margaret;  Ronco 

Hcemulon  parra  (Desmarest) 

This  grunt,  also  known  as  sailor's-choice,  ronco  bianco,  ronco 
prieto,  and  arrayado,  occurs  from  southern  Florida  to  Brazil.  It  has 
been  recorded  from  many  places  in  southern  Florida,  the  Tortugas, 
Cuba,  Porto  Rico,  Jamaica,  and  Brazil.  It  is  an  abundant  fish  about 
Key  West,  where  it  collects  in  schools  in  July  and  August,  when  it 
spawns  on  rock  bottom.  It  reaches  2  pounds  in  weight  and  is  a  good 
food-fish. 

Colour  in  spirits,  dark  brown,  centre  of  each  scale  on  upper  part 
of  body  dark  brown  surrounded  by  silvery;  free  edge  of  scales  paler 
or  purplish  brown ;  lower  part  of  sides  and  under  parts  more  silvery, 
but  with  numerous  fine  dark  specks  everywhere;  head  and  fins  dark. 


424 


..  • 

." 


I 


Mojarra  Prieta 


Mojarra  Prieta 

Hcemulon  scudderi  Gill 

This  species  occurs  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  America  from  the 
Gulf  of  California  to  Panama.  It  is  everywhere  common,  especially 
about  rocks,  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot,  and  is  a  good  food-fish.  It  is 
the  Pacific  coast  representative  of  //.  parra,  reaches  a  similar  size,  is 
equally  abundant,  and  passes  through  a  similar  range  of  variations  and 
colour  changes. 

Hcemulon  carbonarium,  the  ronco  carbonero,  is  known  from  the 
West  Indies,  the  Bermudas,  and  Brazil.  It  seems  to  be  rare  about 
Porto  Rico,  but  is  very  common  at  Havana,  where  it  is  esteemed  as  a 
food-fish.  It  is  a  small  species,  usually  not  exceeding  a  foot  in  length. 

Colour  in  life,  light  bluish  gray,  much  resembling  the  common 
grunt;  body  with  7  or  8  deep  brassy  yellow  stripes,  horizontal  above 
lateral  line,  those  below  a  little  curved,  following  the  rows  of  scales, 
3  above  and  3  to  5  below  the  lateral  line,  the  latter  paler;  little  black 
under  angle  of  preopercle;  caudal  blackish  yellow  at  tip;  soft  dorsal, 
anal,  and  ventrals  yellowish  gray,  the  distal  part  blackish;  spinous  dor- 
sal bluish,  deep  yellow  at  base  and  edge,  a  yellow  stripe  along  middle; 
mouth  deep  red. 

Hcemulon  steindachneri,  the  ronco  raiado,  is  a  species  of  rather 
wide  distribution.  It  occurs  on  both  coasts  of  tropical  America,  from 
the  Gulf  of  California  to  Panama,  and  from  St.  Lucia  to  Brazil.  It  is 
common  on  the  coast  of  Brazil,  and  is  especially  abundant  about 
Mazatlan. 

Colour  in  life,  olive  or  golden  brown,  golden  below,  the  edges  of 
scales  of  back  with  brilliant  blue  lustre,  each  scale  on  back  and  sides  with 
a  median  pearly  blue  spot,  these  forming  very  distinct  streaks,  following 
the  rows  of  scales;  a  large,  distinct,  round  blackish  blotch  on  base  of 
caudal  fin  and  caudal  peduncle,  more  distinct  than  in  any  other  species; 
a  distinct  bluish  black  vertical  bar  on  lower  anterior  part  of  opercle, 
partly  concealed  by  angle  of  preopercle;  fins  all  bright  yellow  or 
golden;  ventrals  and  anal  not  dark;  peritoneum  dusky. 

Hcemulon  melanurum,  the  jeniguana,  is  known  from  the  West 
Indies  and  south  to  Brazil.  11;  is  rather  common  at  Havana,  but  was 
not  found  by  us  in  Porto  Rico.  It  grows  to  a  foot  in  length  and  is  a 
good  food-fish. 


Yellow  Grunt;  Boar  Grunt 

Colour  in  life,  pearly  gray;  back  and  side  with  about  10  hori- 
zontal stripes  of  golden  yellow,  narrower  than  the  interspaces;  a  dusky 
stripe  through  eye  from  snout  to  behind  gill-opening;  a  well-defined 
black  area  on  back  and  caudal  fin,  bounded  below  by  an  almost  straight 
line  from  first  dorsal  spine  to  tip  of  lower  caudal  lobe;  mouth  red. 


Yellow  Grunt;  Boar  Grunt 

Hcemulon  sciurus  (Shaw) 

This  common  species  is  found  practically  everywhere  from  south- 
ern Florida  to  Brazil.  At  Key  West  it  is  known  as  boar  grunt,  and 
is  very  plentiful,  usually  in  schools  on  rocky  bottom.  It  is  there 
caught  with  hook  and  line,  the  hook  baited  usually  with  a  long  worm, 
which  the  fishermen  obtain  from  the  stem  of  a  tall  plant  growing  on 
the  bars.  One  fisherman  reports  catching  as  many  as  500  to  600  in  a 
single  day.  The  best  fishing  is  said  to  be  in  August,  which  is  proba- 
bly the  spawning-time.  It  appears  to  be  abundant  about  Porto  Rico, 
where  it  is  called  cachicata  and  ronco  amarillo.  It  reaches  a  foot  to  18 
inches  in  length,  and  a  weight  of  a  pound  or  more.  At  all  places 
where  common  it  is  of  much  value  as  a  food-fish;  and  the  angler  who 
visits  Key  West  will  find  it  interesting  as  a  game-fish. 

Colour  in  life,  yellowish,  side  with  about  10  broad,  brassy  bands, 
alternating  with  somewhat  narrower  pale  blue  bands,  the  fourth  of 
which  runs  forward  across  upper  edge  of  orbit,  crossing  the  forehead 
and  joining  its  fellow  on  opposite  side;  cheek  and  snout  with  similar 
blue  lines,  the  one  on  middle  of  cheek  forking  below  eye  and  enclosing 
an  oblong  area  of  the  ground  colour;  spinous  dorsal  pale  yellowish 
olive,  bordered  with  orange;  soft  dorsal  rusty  olivaceous,  with  orange 
border;  inside  of  mouth,  except  tips  of  jaws,  blood-red. 


,     Common  Grunt;  White  Grunt 

Hcemulon  plumieri  (Lacepede) 

This  is  by  far  the  most  important  of  all  the  grunts.  Its  range 
extends  from  Cape  Hatteras  and  Pensacola  to  Brazil.  It  is  common 
everywhere  on  sandy  shores,  and  it  is  par  excellence  the  grunt  of  our 

426 


French  Grunt;  Open-mouthed  Grunt 

South  Atlantic  States  and  Florida.  At  Key  West  it  is  the  most  abun- 
dant of  all  the  food-fishes,  and  is  caught  the  year  round,  the  best  time 
being  in  the  fall.  Their  spawning  season  is  in  August  and  Septem- 
ber, at  which  time  they  gather  into  immense  schools  on  shoal,  feathery, 
and  rock  bottom,  where  they  spawn.  The  eggs  are  said  to  be 
"gritty"  to  the  touch  and  about  the  size  of  a  No.  10  shot;  when 
ripe  they  separate  and  flow  freely  from  the  fish.  After  spawning, 
the  schools  break  up  and  the  fish  scatter.  They  are  so  abundant, 
however,  that  they  can  usually  be  found  in  large  numbers  on  any 
suitable  bottom.  About  Key  West  the  white  grunt  grows  to  18 
inches  in  length  and  4  pounds  in  weight,  though  the  average  is  much 
less. 

About  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  called  cachicata  and  boca  Colorado, 
it  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  and  useful  species,  and  was  seen  by 
us  in  all  the  markets  of  the  island.  It  is  there  caught  either  in  fish- 
traps  or  haul-seines,  while  at  Key  West  many  are  taken  with  hook 
and  line.  As  a  pan-fish  the  common  grunt  is  not  excelled. 

Colour  in  life,  light  bluish;  series  of  scales,  each  with  a  small 
brown  or  brassy  spot,  these  forming  indistinct  narrow  lines  running 
upward  and  backward;  body  of  scales  above  lateral  line  bluish,  the 
border  brownish  olive;  a  brassy  band  along  lateral  line;  back  with 
some  bronze;  under  parts  whitish;  about  twelve  narrow,  irregular 
bright  blue  lines  on  head,  separated  by  broad  brassy  lines,  these  some- 
times extending  on  body;  inner  edge  of  maxillary  orange;  lower 
anterior  edge  of  opercle  yellow;  inside  of  mouth  red  or  deep  yellow; 
lips  dusky;  dorsal  grayish,  with  a  narrow  yellow  edge  on  spinous 
portion;  caudal  plain  gray;  anal  gray,  tinged  with  yellow. 


French   Grun't;  Open-mouthed   Grunt 

Hcemulon  flavolineatum  (Desmarest) 

Found  from  the  Florida  Keys  south  to  Brazil,  rare  in  Florida,  but 
generally  common  throughout  the  West  Indies.  About  Porto  Rico  it 
is  one  of  the  most  abundant  and  valued  species.  It  is  usually  found 
on  sandy  shores,  and  is  taken  in  traps,  seines,  or  with  the  hook.  It 
reaches  a  foot  in  length,  and  is  one  of  the  most  strongly  marked 
species  of  the  family. 

Colour  in  life,  light  bluish  gray ;  a  bronze-yellow  spot  on  upper 

427 


Bathystoma 

part  of  each  scale,  these  forming  continuous  undulating  stripes  on 
body  and  head,  wider  than  the  interspaces  of  ground  colour;  on  the 
caudal  they  are  nearly  straight;  on  anterior  part  of  body  below 
lateral  line,  broader  and  very  oblique;  a  horizontal  stripe,  crossing  the 
others,  along  side  of  back  from  occiput  to  last  rays  of  soft  dorsal,  of 
the  same  golden  yellow;  yellow  around  eye;  yellow  shades  and 
streaks  on  cheek,  not  strongly  marked  as  in  the  common  grunt  and  the 
yellow  grunt;  top  of  head  with  yellow  stripes;  angle  of  mouth  black, 
brick-red  inside;  a  large  black  blotch  under  angle  of  preopercle;  fins 
bright  golden  yellow,  the  pectoral  and  spinous  dorsal  paler.  In  spirits 
the  ground  colour  becomes  grayish  and  the  stripes  brownish  or  dusky. 


GENUS  BATHYSTOMA  SCUDDER 

This  genus  differs  from  Hcemulon  in  the  presence  of  13  dorsal 
spines;  the  body  is  rather  elongate,  gill-rakers  rather  numerous,  12  to 
1 8  on  lower  part  of  anterior  arch,  the  mouth  moderate,  the  scales 
small,  the  frontal  foramina  long,  and  the  jaws  red  within. 

This  genus  has  3  species  in  our  waters.  The  most  important  of 
these  is  the  tomtate  or  red-mouth  grunt,  Bathystoma  rimator,  which 
ranges  from  Cape  Hatteras  and  Pensacola  southward  through  the  West 
Indies  to  Trinidad.  It  is  abundant  about  Charleston,  S.  C.,  where  it  is 
one  of  the  most  common  food-fishes.  Adults  are  said  to  be  uncom- 
mon about  Pensacola  and  Key  West,  but  at  the  latter  place  the  young 
swarm  everywhere  about  the  wharves  and  shores.  It  is  as  yet  not 
known  from  Cuba,  and  does  not  seem  to  be  at  all  abundant  in  Porto 
Rico.  This  species  is  not  of  large  size,  seldom  exceeding  a  foot  in 
length.  It  takes  the  hook  readily,  and  is  an  excellent  pan-fish.  Speci- 
mens obtained  by  us  in  Porto  Rico  are  5  to  6  inches  in  length. 

Colour  in  life,  silvery  white,  slightly  bluish  above,  with  iridescent 
reflections;  edges  of  scales  on  body  light  yellow,  these  forming  con- 
tinuous light  yellow  stripes,  those  below  lateral  line  horizontal,  those 
above  very  oblique;  a  narrow  continuous  streak  of  light  yellow  above 
lateral  line  from  head  to  end  of  soft  dorsal,  and  another  from  eye  to 
middle  of  caudal;  head  silvery  yellowish  above;  inside  of  mouth  red; 
no  black  under  preopercle;  traces  of  a  black  blotch  at  base  of  caudal; 
fins  colourless,  the  lower  slightly  yellowish. 

Another  species,  B.  aurolineatum,  is  found  from  the  Florida  Keys 

428 


Lythrulon 

to  Brazil,  its  centre  of  greatest  abundance  apparently  being  at  Havana, 
where  it  is  often  brought  into  the  market.  It  has  been  taken  at  Garden 
Key,  Florida,  but  has  not  been  observed  at  Key  West.  It  reaches  a 
length  of  only  6  or  8  inches,  and  is  smaller  than  any  other  species  of 
this  or  related  genera,  except  Brachygenys  chrysargyreus. 

Colour  in  life,  dusky-gray,  with  7  or  8  yellow  longitudinal  streaks, 
the  one  through  eye  widest;  inside  of  mouth  very  red;  no  dusky  spot 
under  the  angle  of  preopercle;  fins  gray,  the  dorsal  scarcely  yellowish. 

The  third  species  is  the  white  grunt,  B.  striatum,  which  is  known 
from  the  Bermudas,  Key  West,  Cuba,  Santo  Domingo,  and  Porto  Rico, 
but  is  apparently  not  common  anywhere.  One  specimen  was  obtained 
by  us  at  San  Juan,  Porto  Rico.  It  probably  never  exceeds  a  foot  in 
length. 

Colour  in  alcohol,  pearly  gray,  with  5  or  6  continuous  brownish 
streaks  (probably  golden  in  life),  one  on  median  line  from  tip  of  snout 
to  origin  of  dorsal,  one  diverging  from  snout  and  passing  above  eye 
and  along  side  to  soft  dorsal;  another  from  snout  through  upper 
part  of  eye  and  terminating  near  beginning  of  lateral  line;  a  fourth 
passing  through  eye  and  along  middle  of  side  to  base  of  caudal ;  another 
crossing  opercle  and  base  of  pectoral. 


GENUS  LYTHRULON  JORDAN  &  SWAIN 

This  genus  is  closely  allied  to  Hcemulon,  but  differs  in  the  short 
snout,  the  high  supraoccipital  crest,  oblique  mouth,  and  increased 
number  of  gill-rakers.  The  form  of  the  body  is  peculiar,  the  dorsal  and 
anal  long  and  low  and  the  caudal  widely  forked.  This  genus  contains 
but  2  species.  The  first  of  these,  Lythrulon  flaviguttatum,  is  distin- 
guished by  having  the  gill-rakers  about  lo-f  22  and  the  body  oblong, 
the  depth  being  about  £  the  length.  This  species  reaches  about  a  foot 
in  length,  and  inhabits  the  Pacific  coast  of  tropical  America  from  the 
Gulf  of  California  to  Panama.  It  is  generally  common,  and  valued  as 
a  pan-fish. 

Colour  in  spirits,  dark  steel-gray,  a  very  distinct  small  pale  spot  on 
each  scale  of  back  and  side,  surrounded  by  darker;  in  life  these  spots 
are  pearly  blue;  head  plain;  a  small  dusky  blotch  under  angle  of  pre- 
opercle; fins,  plain,  bright  yellow  in  life.  Young  with  a  large  black 
blotch  at  base  of  caudal. 

The  other  species,  L.  opalescens,  is  known  only  from  Mazatlan, 
where  it  is  rather  common  in  the  estuary.  It  is  probably  not  rare,  but 

429 


Anisotremus 


has  been  confounded  with  the  preceding,  from  which  it  may  be  distin- 
guished by  the  fewer  gill-rakers,  8+15,   and  the  deeper  body,   the 


depth  being  2\ 
more. 


in  length.     The  species  reaches  a  length  of  9  inches  or 


GENUS  ANISOTREMUS  GILL 

Body  ovate,  short,  deep,  and  compressed;  mouth  rather  small, 
the  lips  thick,  the  maxillary  rather  short;  inside  of  mouth  not  red; 
teeth  in  jaws  only,  all  pointed,  those  of  the  outer  series  in  upper  jaw 
enlarged;  chin  with  a  median  groove,  besides  smaller  pores;  dorsal 
spines  strong;  soft  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal  scaly  at  base;  anal  spines 
strong;  caudal  usually  lunate;  scales  large;  lower  pharyngeals  broad, 
with  coarse,  blunt  teeth.  This  genus,  like  Hcemulon,  to  which  it  is 
closely  related,  contains  numerous  species,  all  of  them  living  on  the 
shores  of  tropical  America.  All  of  the  species  undergo  considerable 
change  in  form  with  age,  and  all  of  them  are  valued  as  food-fishes. 
The  young  are  marked  with  2  or  3  blackish  lengthwise  stripes,  which 
disappear  with  age,  very  soon  in  the  brightly  coloured  species,  but 
persisting  longer  in  those  less  brightly  coloured. 

There  are  in  our  waters  12  species,  several  of  which  are  suffi- 
ciently abundant  to  be  of  commercial  value. 


43° 


YELLOW  GRUNT,  Hosmulon  sciurus 


PORKFISH,  Anisotremus  virginicus 


Pompon 

Poignpon 

Anisotremns  surinamensis  (Bloch) 

The  pompon  is  found  from  southern  Florida  and  Mobile  to  Brazil. 
It  has  been  taken  by  us  in  Indian  River  and  Porto  Rico,  and  is  known 
also  from  the  Tortugas,  Cuba,  Jamaica,  Martinique,  and  Surinam.  It 
reaches  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet,  and  is  a  good  food-fish. 

Colour,  grayish,  darkest  on  anterior  half  of  body,  where  each  scale 
is  dark  brown  on  its  basal  half,  followed  by  a  white  ellipse  and  a  nar- 
row darker  border;  upper  edge  of  caudal  peduncle  brown,  sides  nearly 
plain  whitish;  snout  and  under  parts  of  head  lilac-brown;  under  parts 
of  body  rusty  brown;  fins  all  brownish,  especially  soft  dorsal  and  anal. 


Pork-fish;  Sisi 

Anisotremus  virginicus  (Linnaeus) 

A  very  handsome  fish  ranging  from  Florida  to  Brazil;  known 
from  Biscayne  Bay,  Key  West,  Santo  Domingo,  Jamaica,  Porto  Rico, 
Martinique,  and  St.  Catharine  Island.  About  Key  West  it  is  said  to 
school  from  June  to  August,  which  is  its  spawning  season.  It  is  then 
found  about  shoals,  but  soon  retires  to  deeper  water.  It  spawns  in 
the  channels  among  the  shoals,  where  it  is  caught  in  great  numbers, 
chiefly  in  traps  and  with  hook  and  line.  About  a  month  after  spawn- 
ing-time immense  numbers  of  young  are  said  to  be  found  about  the 
shoals. 

The  species  reaches  a  length  of  about  a  foot  and  a  weight  of  2 
pounds,  but  those  brought  to  market  do  not  average  more  than  £  of  a 
pound.  In  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  called  sisi,  it  is  not  common.  It  is 
everywhere  regarded  as  an  excellent  pan-fish. 

Colour  in  life,  side  with  about  8  broad  lemon-yellow  longitudinal 
bars,  alternating  with  similar  bars  of  dirty  silvery,  the  upper  3  or  4  of 
the  yellow  lines  branching  anteriorly,  the  fifth  extending  on  middle  of 
caudal  peduncle;  belly  silvery  white;  a  broad  black  bar  from  origin 
of  spinous  dorsal  to  base  of  pectoral,  continuing  on  shoulder-girdle  to 
near  isthmus;  another  broad  black  band  from  occiput  through  eye  to 
angle  of  mouth;  cheek  metallic  or  brassy  green;  top  of  head  brassy; 

431 


Brachydeuterus 

fins  all  orange-yellow;  spinous  dorsal,  pectoral,  and  ventral   dusted 
with  brownish;  scaly  sheath  at  base  of  anal  rich  yellow. 


GENUS   BRACHYDEUTERUS  GILL 

This  genus  in  most  respects  resembles  Pomadasis.  Body  oblong; 
scales  large,  those  above  in  series  parallel  with  the  lateral  line;  mouth 
small;  outer  teeth  somewhat  enlarged;  inside  of  jaws  not  red;  anal 
spines  small  or  moderate,  the  second  little,  if  any,  longer  or  stronger 
than  third,  and  shorter  than  soft  rays;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  largely 
covered  with  small  scales;  D.  XII,  14  to  16.  None  of  the  4  species  of 
this  genus  is  of  much  importance. 

Brachydeuterus  nitidus  is  known  only  from  the  Gulf  of  Califor- 
nia, Mazatlan,  and  Panama.  It  reaches  about  a  foot  in  length,  and  is 
used  as  food,  though  it  is  not  abundant.  In  colour  it  is  silvery,  darker 
above,  with  dark  streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales,  especially  distinct 
below  lateral  line;  a  large  round  dark  blotch  at  beginning  of  lateral 
line,  about  as  large  as  eye. 

B.  corvinceformis  ranges  from  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil,  ap- 
parently most  common  about  Porto  Rico.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length, 
and  is  a  good  pan-fish. 

B.  leuciscus  is  probably  the  most  important  species  of  the  genus. 
It  is  found  on  our  Pacific  coast  from  Guaymas  to  Peru.  It  is  very 
common  about  Mazatlan  and  Panama,  and  is  a  valued  pan-fish. 

B.  axillaris,  the  burro  bianco,  reaches  a  foot  in  length,  and  is 
known  only  from  Guaymas  and  Mazatlan,  where  it  is  used  as  food. 


GENUS  POMADASIS  LACEPEDE 

The  Burros 

This  genus  is  composed  of  small  shore-fishes,  some  of  its  repre- 
sentatives being  found  in  most  tropical  seas.  Several  of  the  species 
enter  fresh  waters,  and  others  are  found  in  brackish  waters.  Numer- 
ous species  occur  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa  and  about  the  Cape 
Verde  Islands,  but,  so  far  as  known,  none  enters  European  waters.  The 
genus  is  represented  in  our  waters  by  about  8  species,  all  of  those 
sufficiently  abundant  being  food-fishes  of  some  little  value. 

Pomadasis  panamensis  is  a  well-marked  species  occurring  on  the 
Pacific  coast  of  tropical  America,  and  rather  common  at  both  Panama  and 
Mazatlan.  It  reaches  a  foot  or  more  in  length,  and  is  a  good  pan-fish. 

43* 


BLACK  MARGATE-FISH,  Anisotremus  surinamensis 


GRAY  SNAPPER,  Lutianus  griseus 


The  Pigfishes 

Colour,  gray  silvery;  young  with  6  very  faint  cross-bars,  one  of  these 
below  spinous  dorsal  appearing  as  a  roundish  dark  spot;  lower  fins 
white;  a  distinct  dark  blotch  on  opercle  and  a  fainter  one  on  side 
below  spinous  dorsal. 

P.  bay  anus  is  known  only  from  Panama,  the  only  known  speci- 
mens having  come  from  the  Rio  Bayano.  Colour,  uniform  olivaceous 
above,  silvery  below;  fins  plain. 

P.  productus  is  a  very  rare  species  known  only  from  Cuba. 
Colour,  nearly  plain,  silvery  below. 

P.  macracanthus  occurs  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  tropical  America 
from  Mazatlan  to  Panama.  It  reaches  15  inches  in  length,  and  is  used 
as  food.  When  caught  it  makes  a  loud  snore-like  noise  very  much 
like  that  made  by  a  donkey,  hence  its  common  name  burro. 

P.  andrei  has  been  recorded  only  from  the  Rio  Guayas,  near  Guay- 
aquil, Ecuador.  It  is  a  doubtful  species. 

P.  crocro  occurs  throughout  the  West  Indies  from  Cuba  to  Brazil, 
and  is  generally  common  on  sandy  shores.  Colour,  plain  olivaceous, 
silvery  below,  with  about  3  or  4  ill-defined  longitudinal  dark  stripes 
along  side,  one  from  tip  of  snout  to  middle  of  base  of  caudal. 

P.  branicki,  the  burrito,  reaching  a  length  of  7  inches,  occurs  on 
the  Pacific  coast  of  tropical  America,  from  Mazatlan  to  Peru.  It  is  not 
uncommon  on  sandy  shores. 

The  remaining  species,  P.  ramosus,  is  found  in  the  West  Indies 
and  south  to  Brazil.  In  Porto  Rico  it  is  known  as  ronco  bianco,  and 
ascends  the  streams  well  toward  the  interior  of  the  island,  specimens 
having  been  obtained  by  us  in  the  Rio  Loiza  near  Caguas  more  than  25 
miles  from  the  coast.  This  species  is  said  by  the  native  fishermen  to 
utter  the  grunting  noise  characteristic  of  the  family.  Though  of  small 
size,  it  is  nevertheless  a  good  food-fish,  and  is  highly  valued. 


GENUS  ORTHOPRISTIS  GIRARD 

The  Pigfishes 

This  genus  differs  from  Pomadasis  in  the  long  anal  fin,  the  smaller 
scales,  and  the  less  development  of  the  dorsal  spines.  Nearly  all  the 
species  are  American,  and  some  of  them  are  of  food-value. 

Orthopristis  forbesi  is  known  only  from  Albemarle  Island,  one  of 
the  Galapagos  group.  Colour  in  spirits,  dark  brown  above,  with 
bluish  reflections,  fins  dusky  except  pectorals;  caudal  edged  with 
light;  membrane  of  opercle  dark;  preopercle  with  some  dark  spots. 
The  known  specimens  are  each  about  a  foot  long. 

O.  reddingi  is  known  only  from  La  Paz,  Gulf  of  California.  Col- 
our, pearly  gray,  darker  above;  each  scale  of  back  and  side  with  a 

433 


Pigfish;  Hogfish 

bright  bronze  spot  behind  its  centre,  these  forming  nearly  continuous 
streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales,  running  upward  and  backward  ante- 
riorly and  nearly  horizontally  on  side,  where  they  are  more  or  less  in- 
terrupted or  transposed;  head  plain  gray;  dorsal  with  some  streaks; 
ventrals  somewhat  dusky. 

O.  chalceus  occurs  on  the  coast  of  tropical  America,  from  the  Gulf 
of  California  to  the  Galapagos  Islands,  and  is  rather  common,  especially 
at  Cape  San  Lucas  and  Mazatlan.  It  reaches  1 8  inches  in  length,  and  is  a 
good  food-fish.  Colour,  paler  than  in  related  species ;  pale  chalky  bluish 
streaks  along  the  edges  of  the  rows  of  scales;  a  pale  streak  below  base 
of  dorsal;  fins  rather  pale,  the  soft  dorsal  mottled  with  darker.  The 
young  have  broad  diffuse  dusky  cross-bands  on  the  side. 

O.  poeyi  is  a  rare  species  known  only  from  Havana.  It  is  close  to  O. 
chrysopterus,  but  the  body  is  more  slender,  and  the  scales  are  rather  larger. 

O.  cantharimis  is  known  only  from  the  Galapagos  Islands.  It 
reaches  a  foot  in  length,  and  is  apparently  close  to  O.  chrysopterus. 
Colour,  brownish  gray  above,  soiled  silvery  below;  upper  parts  with 
8  diffuse  cross-bands,  as  wide  as  the  interspaces  extending  to  below 
middle  of  side;  membrane  of  opercle  dark;  some  dark  streaks  fol- 
lowing rows  of  scales;  dorsal  with  some  dull  orange  and  some  pale 
round  spots. 


Pigfish;  Hogfish 

Orthopristis  chrysopterus   (Linnaeus) 

This  is  the  most  important  food-fish  of  the  genus.     It  reaches  a 
length  of  12  to  15  inches,  and  occurs  on  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf 

434 


SCUP,  Stenotomus  chrysops 


TOM-TATE,  Bathystoma  rimator 


Pigfish ;  Hogfish 

coasts  of  the  United  States,  ranging  as  far  north  as  Long  Island  and 
south  to  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande.  It  is  especially  abundant  on 
sandy  shores,  where  it  is  taken  in  haul-seines.  Large  numbers  are 
taken  along  the  Carolina  coast.  It  is  very  highly  valued  as  a  pan-fish, 
and  is  known  in  some  places  as  the  sailor's-choice. 

Colour  in  life,  light  blue  above,  shading  gradually  into  silvery 
below;  preorbital  and  snout  clear  sky-blue;  a  dash  of  blue  on  each 
side  of  upper  lip;  each  scale  on  body  with  a  blue  centre,  the  edge 
with  a  brown  spot,  these  forming  on  back  and  sides  very  distinct 
orange-brown  stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales,  those  above  the  lateral 
line  extending  obliquely  upward  and  backward,  those  below  nearly 
horizontal;  snout  with  bronze  spots;  one  or  two  cross-lines  connect- 
ing front  of  orbits;  2  or  3  oblique  lines  on  preorbital,  besides  numerous 
bronze  spots  larger  than  those  on  body;  dorsal  translucent  with  about 
3  longitudinal  bronze  shades,  composed  of  spots,  those  of  soft  dorsal 
most  distinctly  spot-like;  caudal  plain,  yellowish  at  base,  dusky 
toward  tip;  pectorals  and  ventrals  yellowish,  the  latter  darker  at  tip. 


435 


THE  PORGIES 

Family  LIU.     Sparidce 

BODY  oblong,  more  or  less  elevated,  covered  with  rather  large 
adherent  scales,  which  are  never  truly  ctenoid ;  lateral  line  well  de- 
veloped, concurrent  with  the  back,  not  extending  on  caudal  fin;  head 
large;  mouth  small,  terminal,  low,  and  horizontal;  premaxillaries 
little  protractile;  maxillary  short,  peculiar  in  form  and  in  articulation, 
without  supplemental  bone;  teeth  strong,  those  in  front  of  jaws  coni- 
cal, incisor-like,  or  molar;  lateral  teeth  of  jaws  always  blunt  and  molar; 
no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines;  pseudobranchise  large;  gill-membranes 
separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  opercle  without  spines;  sides  of  head 
usually  scaly;  dorsal  fin  single,  sometimes  deeply  notched,  the  spines 
usually  strong,  depressible  in  a  groove;  spines  heteracanthous,  that  is, 
alternating,  the  one  stronger  on  the  right  side,  the  other  on  the  left, 
the  number  10  to  13;  anal  fin  rather  short,  similar  to  the  soft  dorsal, 
with  3  spines;  ventrals  thoracic,  with  a  more  or  less  distinct  scale-like 
appendage  at  base;  caudal  fin  usually  more  or  less  concave  behind; 
air-bladder  present. 

This  is  a  large  family  of  carnivorous  shore-fishes  of  tropical  seas, 
especially  abundant  in  the  Mediterranean,  Red  Sea,  and  West  Indies. 
About  12  genera  and  nearly  100  species  are  known,  and  most  of  them 
are  valued  as  food.  In  our  waters  are  about  24  species  representing  7 
genera.  Most  of  them  are  gooc'  rood-fishes. 

a.  Second   interhaemal    bone    enlarged,   hollowed   anteriorly  or   pen- 

shaped,  receiving  posterior  end   of  air-bladder  in  its  anterior 
groove. 

b.  Front  teeth  narrow,  compressed,  forming  lanceolate  incisors. 

Stenotomus,  437 

bb.  Front  teeth  conical  or  canine-like Calamus,  438 

aa.  Second  interhsemal  spine  normal,  not  pen-like. 

c.  First  spine-bearing  interneural  with  an  antrorse  spine  in  fvont. 

d.  Incisors  conspicuously  notched Lagodon,  440 

dd.  Incisors  entire  or  with  a  shallow  notch Archosargus,  441 

cc.  First  spine-bearing  interneural  without  antrorse  spine  in  front. 

Diplodus,  443 

436 


SAUCER-EYE  PORGY,  Calamus  calamus 


LITTLE-HEAD  PORGY,  Calamus  proridens 


The  Scups 


GENUS  STENOTOMUS  GILL 

The  Scups 

This  genus  is  closely  related  to  Calamus,  having  the  same  quill- 
like  interhaemal  bones;  the  flattened  incisors  and  antrorse  dorsal  spine 
mainly  distinguishing  it.  Two  species  known. 

a.   Body  ovate-elliptical,  the  depth  about  the  same  from  the  first  dorsal 

spine  to  the  eleventh;  pectoral  shorter  than  head,  j\  in  body; 

snout  short,  2£  in  head chrysops,  437 

aa.  Body  elongate-ovate,  the  depth  decreasing  backward    from   the 

first  dorsal  spine;  pectoral  about  as  long  as  head,  3^  in  body; 

snout  long,  2  in  head aculeatus,  438 


Common  Scup;  Scuppaug 

Stenotomus  chrysops  (Linnaeus) 

This  fish  is  found  on  our  Atlantic  coast  from  the  Carolinas  to 
Cape  Cod,  being  especially  abundant  northward.     On  the  New  Eng- 


land coast  it  is  usually  called  scup,  while  about  New  York  it  is  the 
paugy  or  porgy.     Farther  south  it  is  the  fair-maid,  and  at  Charleston 

437 


The  Porgies 

it  is  the  porgy.  In  New  England  it  is  often  called  scuppaug,  a  cor- 
ruption of  the  Narragansett  Indian  name  mishcuppanog,  and  an 
excellent  name  it  is.  Though  somewhat  erratic  in  its  appearance,  it 
is  usually  quite  abundant  on  our  Northern  coast.  As  a  food-fish  it  is 
one  of  the  commonest  and  most  esteemed.  It  is  a  bottom  feeder, 
depending  largely  upon  mollusks  of  various  kinds  and  worms  and 
small  crustaceans. 

Colour,  brownish,  somewhat  silvery  below,  •  everywhere  with 
bright  reflections,  but  without  distinct  markings  in  adult;  soft  parts 
of  vertical  fins  mottled  with  dark  in  adult;  young  faintly  barred; 
axil  dusky. 

The  Southern  porgy,  Stenotomus  aculeatus,  is  found  from  Cape 
Hatteras  southward  and  on  the  Gulf  coast  to  Texas.  It  closely  resem- 
bles the  Northern  scup,  which  it  replaces  southward. 


GENUS  CALAMUS  SWAINSON 

The  Porgies 

This  genus  contains  some   12  species,  all   American,  all  shore- 
fishes,  all  closely  related,  and  all  excellent  food-fishes. 

a.  Scales  comparatively  small,  54  to  58  in  lateral  line. 

b.  Body  very  deep,  the  back  elevated,  the  depth  in  adult  about  2  in 

length. 

c.  Preorbital   with  reticulations  of  the  bluish  ground  colour  around 

bronze  spots calamus,  438 

cc.  Preorbital  region,  snout,  cheek,  and  opercles   brassy,  crossed  by 

horizontal  wavy,  non-reticulating  lines  of  violet-blue. 

proridens,  439 

bb.  Body  more  elongate,  the  depth  2\  to  2f  in  length  .  .bajonado,  439 
aa.  Scales  comparatively  large,  45  to  53  in  lateral  line. 

d.  Dorsal  outline  forming  a  comparatively  regular  arch penna,  440 

dd.  Dorsal  outline  not  forming  a  regular  arch .arctifrons,  440 


Saucer-eye  Porgy 

Calamus  calamus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes) 

West  Indies,   north  to  the  Florida  Keys.     It  has  been  recorded 
from  Martinique,  Jamaica,    Porto  Rico,   Cuba,   and  various  places  in 

438 


JOLT-HEAD  PORGY,  Calamus  bajonado 


JOLT-HEAD  PORGY,  Calamus  bajonado 


Little-head  Porgy 

southern  Florida.  About  Key  West  and  Havana  it  is  generally  com- 
mon, but  less  abundant  than  the  little-head  and  jolt-head  porgies.  Its 
Spanish  name  is  pez  de  pluma  or  pluma.  At  Key  West  the  conchs 
assure  you  that  its  English  name  is  correctly  pronounced  sasser-eye. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  a  foot  and  a  weight  of  a  pound  or  more,  though 
the  weight  of  those  seen  in  market  does  not  usually  exceed  |  pound.  It 
is  an  excellent  food-fish  and  always  commands  a  good  price.  It  takes 
the  hook  readily,  and  affords  considerable  sport  as  a  game-fish. 

Colour  in  life,  silvery  with  bluish  reflections;  the  base  and  central 
portion  of  each  scale  golden,  forming  distinct  longitudinal  stripes,  the 
stripes  between  these  pearly  or  bluish;  rows  of  scales  on  cheek  and 
opercles  with  the  pearly  stripe  median,  the  golden  marginal;  a  deep 
violet  stripe  below  orbit,  not  extending  forward  on  snout  nor  backward 
on  opercles;  preorbital  deep  dull  violet  like  the  snout,  the  ground  col- 
our forming  reticulations  around  conspicuous  round  brassy  spots  which 
cover  half  the  surface;  lower  jaw  dusky-violet;  axil  golden;  fins  all 
pale,  vaguely  blotched  with  dull  orange;  iris  golden. 


Little-head  Porgy 

Calamus  proridens  (Jordan  &  Gilbert) 

West  Indies,  north  to  the  Florida  Keys,  and  moderately  common 
at  Key  West.  It  is  the  most  brightly  coloured  species,  reaches  a  foot 
in  length,  and  maybe  readily  distinguished  from  the  saucer-eye,  which 
it  resembles,  by  the  different  colouration.  Colour  in  life,  silvery,  with 
bright  reflections  above,  much  brighter  than  any  other  species;  each 
scale  above  middle  of  side  with  a  spot  of  rich  violet-blue  on  its  base, 
these  forming  distinct  longitudinal  streaks;  lower  parts  of  body  with 
pale  orange  spots. 

Jolt-head  Porgy 

Calamus  bajonado  (Bloch  &  Schneider) 

This,  the  most  abundant  species  of  the  genus,  is  found  among  the 
Florida  Keys  and  West  Indies.  It  is  also  the  largest  species,  reaching 
a  length  of  2  feet  and  a  weight  of  8  to  10  pounds.  It  frequents  smooth 

439 


Lagodon 

rock  bottom,  upon  which  it  is  said  to  spawn  in  July  and  August. 
About  Porto  Rico  it  is  one  of  the  most  common  species,  and  is  found 
at  all  times.  Because  of  its  large  size  the  bajonado  is  more  important 
as  a  food-fish  than  any  of  its  congeners,  though  its  flesh  is  rather 
coarse.  It  is  taken  in  the  hook-and-line  fishery  and  also  in  various 
fish-traps. 

Colour  in  life,  rather  dull  brassy,  with  little  blue  markings;  the 
middle  of  each  scale  shining  but  scarcely  bluish;  a  blue  stripe  below 
eye,  narrower  and  duller  than  in  other  species;  a  second  duller  streak 
above  this,  the  2  meeting  on  the  forehead;  preorbital  dull  coppery, 
often  with  irregular  and  obscure  blue  lines;  axil  yellowish. 

The  white-boned  porgy  (Calamus  leucostcus]  is  a  rather  deep-water 
species  known  only  from  off  the  Carolina  coast.  Colour,  smutty 
silvery;  side  with  vague  cross-bars;  dorsal  and  ana!  with  dark  blotches; 
ventrals  dusky.  In  form  this  species  resembles  C.  penra. 

The  little-mouth  porgy  or  sheepshead  porgy  (C.  pennd)  occurs 
from  southern  Florida  to  Brazil.  It  is  fairly  abundant  and  widely 
distributed. 

The  grass  or  shad  porgy  (C.  arctifrons)  is  a  sm;ill  species,  rather 
common  in  shallow  water  among  grass-patches  at  Key  West  and  as 
far  north  as  Pensacola.  Colour,  olivaceous,  with  dark  bars  or  spots, 
the  centres  of  many  scales  pearly;  6  yellowish  spots  along  the  lateral 
line;  preorbital  brownish,  usually  with  dashes  of  golden  yellow;  mem- 
brane of  opercle  orange;  fins  mostly  barred  or  spotted;  ventrals  pale, 
faintly  barred.  Though  one  of  the  smallest  species  of  the  genus,  rarely 
exceeding  a  foot  in  length,  it  is  nevertheless  a  good  and  important 
food-fish  wherever  found  in  sufficient  numbers.  It  will  take  the  hook, 
but  it  is  usually  taken  in  haul-seines. 


GENUS  LAGODON  HOLBROOK 

This  differs  from  related  genera  chiefly  in  the  form  of  the  skull 
and  the  notched  incisors;  otherwise  essentially  as  in  Archosargus. 

The  single  species  is  Lagodon  rhomboides,  the  sailor's-choice, 
chopa  spina,  pigfish,  or  bream,  a  small  species  reaching  a  length  of  6 
inches,  very  abundant  on  our  east  coast  from  Cape  Cod  to  Cuba  and 
Texas.  Though  small,  it  is  a  most  excellent  pan-fish,  and  is  highly 
prized  wherever  found. 

Colour  in  life,  olivaceous,  the  sides  bluish  silvery;  a  humeral  spot 
and  traces  of  6  vertical  bars;  gilt  stripes  much  less  intense  than  in 

440 


GRASS  PORGY,  Calamus  arctifrons 


GRASS  PORGY,  Calamus  arctifrons 
This  is  the  same  individual  fish  as  the  one  above  and  shows  remarkable  changes  in  colour  occurring  in  a  few  minutes 


The  Sheepsheads 

Archosargus  unimaculatus,  much  broader  than  the  interspaces ;  about 
7  stripes  below  the  lateral  line,  those  above  more  or  less  confluent; 
dorsal  fin  pale  bluish  with  a  submedian  gilt  band  and  a  gilt  edge; 
caudal  yellow,  faintly  barred;  anal  bluish,  with  a  median  yellowish 
band. 


GENUS  ARCHOSARGUS  GILL 

The  Sheepsheads 

This  genus,  like  Lagodon,  Stenotomus,  and  Otrynter,  which  show 
the  same  character  of  the  procumbent  dorsal  spine,  is  confined  to 
American  waters.  There  are  2  colour  types  in  the  genus,  one  group 
being  made  up  of  species  with  broad  black  cross-bars,  the  other  of 
species  with  longitudinal  golden  streaks  and  inconspicuous  cross-bars, 
resembling  Lagodon. 

a.  Occipital  crest  rather  thin,  its  honeycomb  structure  not  exposed. 
Species  with  streaks  of  steel-blue  and  golden,  the  dark  cross- 
bars narrow,  disappearing  with  age unimaculatus,  442 


aa.  Occipital  crest  broad,  its  honeycomb  structure  plainly  exposed  at 
its  upper  margin.  Species  without  blue  or  golden  markings, 
but  with  about  7  broad  black  cross-bars  .  .probatocephalus,  442 


441 


Chopa  Atnarilla;  Salema 

Chopa  Amarilla;  Salema 

Archosargus  unimaculatus  (Bloch) 

This  species  is  found  among  the  Florida  Keys  and  the  West 
Indies,  and  south  to  Brazil.  It  occasionally  occurs  as  far  north  as 
Charleston,  and  it  is  not  uncommon  about  Key  West,  Cuba,  and 
Porto  Rico.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and  is  a  valuable  pan-fish. 

Colour,  olivaceous,  silvery  below,  the  upper  parts  with  longitu- 
dinal golden  stripes,  alternating  with  bluish  interspaces;  a  black  hu- 
meral spot  larger  than  eye. 

Common  Sheepshead 

Archosargus  probatocephalus  (Walbaum) 

The  sheepshead  is  one  of  our  commonest  and  best-known  fish, 
its  range  extending  throughout  the  entire  length  of  our  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  coast  from  Cape  Cod  to  Texas,  but  it  has  not  been  recorded 
from  the  West  Indies.  The  sheepshead  is  a  bottom-loving  species, 
feeding  upon  small  mollusks  and  other  animals  frequenting  oyster- 
beds  and  muddy  shallow  waters.  From  the  Chesapeake  to  Indian 
River,  and  again  on  the  Gulf  coast  from  Tampa  to  Corpus  Christi,  it 
is  generally  abundant  in  all  suitable  places.  In  Indian  River  it  is, 
next  to  the  mullet,  the  most  abundant  food-fish,  and  is  found  at  all 
times.  Though  playing  in  and  out  with  the  tide,  and  moving  some- 
what from  place  to  place,  it  is  not  properly  a  migratory  fish.  It  does  not 
school,  as  the  mullets  do,  but  is  often  found  in  considerable  bunches, 
brought  together  by  presence  of  food.  Feeding  almost  wholly  upon 
mollusks,  crustaceans,  and  plants,  it  frequents  oyster-beds  and 
similar  places,  particularly  about  inlets.  The  spawning  season  in 
Indian  River  seems  to  be  in  February,  extending  perhaps  into  April. 
The  average  weight  in  Indian  River  is  only  3  or  4  pounds,  and  the 
maximum  12  to  15  pounds. 

Though  a  salt-water  fish,  the  sheepshead  often  runs  far  up  fresh- 
water rivers,  particularly  the  St.  Johns  in  Florida.  Throughout  its 
entire  range  it  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  very  best  food-fishes  and  is 
of  great  commercial  importance.  There  is  no  more  common  or 

442 


LITTLE-HEAD  PORGY,  Calamus  proridens 


BROAD  SHAD,  Xysteema  cinereum 


Diplodus 

better-known  fish  in  the  markets  of  our  Atlantic  seaboard  cities  and 
towns. 

As  a  game-fish  the  sheepshead  is  one  of  the  most  popular  among 
our  salt-water  species,  and  there  are  many  noted  places  between  New 
York  and  Biscayne  Bay  where  anglers  resort  for  its  capture.  As  long 
ago  as  1814  Samuel  Latham  Mitchill,  the  naturalist-senator  of  New 
York,  wrote  in  highest  praise  of  the  pleasures  of  angling  for  sheeps- 
head: "When  a  sheepshead  is  brought  on  board  more  joy  is  mani- 
fested than  by  the  possession  of  any  other  kin^l  of  fish.  The  sports- 
men view  the  exercises  so  much  above  common  fishing  that  the  cap- 
ture of  the  sheepshead  is  the  most  desirable  combination  of  luck  and 
skill;  and  the  feats  of  hooking  and  landing  him  safely  in  the  boat  fur- 
nish abundant  materials  for  the  most  pleasing  and  hyperbolical  stories. 
The  sheepshead  is  a  very  stout  fish,  and  the  hooks  and  lines  are 
strong  in  proportion;  yet  he  frequently  breaks  them  and  makes  his 
escape." 

And  good  old  Thaddeus  Norris  says:  "In  fishing  with  a  hand- 
line,  which  is  the  usual  mode  of  taking  him,  the  sheepshead  gives  one 
or  two  slight  premonitory  jerks,  and  then  a  steady  pull,  when  the 
fisherman  gathers  in  his  line  as  fast  as  possible,  the  fish  coming  along 
with  a  heavy  drag.  When  he  approaches  the  boat,  there  is  a  desperate 
contest;  there  is  much  probability  of  his  breaking  the  hook,  or  his 
quick  downward  lunges  are  apt  to  snap  the  line;  then  the  fisher  takes 
in  slack  or  lets  the  line  run  through  his  fingers,  as  the  actions  of  the 
fish  dictate,  and  when  a  proper  opportunity  offers,  throws  him  into 
the  boat.  His  pull  is  at  first  strong  and  steady,  but  as  he  comes  to 
the  surface,  his  lunges  are  quick  and  desperate." 

Our  personal  experience  with  the  sheepshead  has  been  chiefly  at 
Indian  River  Inlet,  one  of  Senator  Quay's  favourite  fishing-grounds, 
and  about  Baldwin  Lodge,  Mississippi,  where  the  Hon.  A.  Baldwin  and 
other  enthusiastic  anglers  of  New  Orleans  find  royal  sport  with  this 
and  other  gamy  species. 

So  well  known  is  the  sheepshead  that  it  needs  no  detailed  de- 
scription. 


GENUS  DIPLODUS  RAFINESQUE 

This  genus  is  close  to  Archosargus,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly 
in  having  no  procumbent  dorsal  spine.     There  are  3  species  in  our 

443 


Diplodus 

waters,  the  only  one  of  any  importance  being   the  pinfish  or  spot, 
Diplodus  holbrooki.     This  fish  is  found  on  our  South  Atlantic  and 


Gulf  coasts  from  Cape  Hatteras  to  Cedar  Keys.  At  Beaufort,  North 
Carolina,  it  is  not  uncommon,  and  the  young  swarm  about  the  wharves. 
It  is  frequent  also  at  Lake  Worth,  where  it  is  called  jimmy.  It  reaches 
8  inches  in  length  and  is  an  excellent  pan-fish. 


444 


SHEEPSHEAD,  Archosargus  probatoccpTralMS 


SHAD  PORGY,  Calamus  penna 


THE  MOjARRAS 

Family  LIV.     Gerridce 

BODY  oblong  or  elevated,  covered  with  large,  smooth  scales; 
lateral  line  continuous,  concurrent  with  the  back;  mouth  moderate, 
extremely  protractile,  descending  when  protruded,  the  spines  of  the 
premaxillary  extending  to  above  eye,  closing  a  deep  groove  in  top 
of  head;  maxillary  without  supplemental  maxillary  bone,  its  surface 
silvery  like  the  rest  of  the  head;  base  of  mandible  scaly;  jaws  with 
slender,  villiform  teeth;  no  incisors,  canines,  nor  molars;  no  teeth  on 
vomer  or  palatines;  preopercle  entire  or  serrate;  sides  of  head  scaly ; 
dorsal  fin  single,  continuous  or  deeply  notched,  the  spinous  and  soft 
parts  about  equally  developed,  a  scaly  sheath  along  the  base;  dorsal 
spines  usually  9  or  10;  anal  usually  with  3  spines,  the  soft  anal  similar 
to  the  soft  dorsal  but  shorter. 

This  family  contains  6  to  8  genera  and  about  40  species,  all  car- 
nivorous fishes  of  moderate  or  small  size,  inhabiting  tropical  seas. 

In  our  waters  4  of  the  genera  are  represented  by  17  species,  the 
larger  ones  being  used  as  food.  None  of  them,  however,  is  of  great 
importance,  and  they  have  no  value  as  game-fishes. 

a.  Second  interhaemal  spine  singularly  developed  as  a  hollow  cylinder, 

comparatively  short  and  much  expanded,  the  posterior  end  of 
the  air-bladder  entering  its  cavity;  preopercle  and  preorbital 
entire;  anal  spines  3,  the  second  not  much  enlarged. 

Eucinostomus,  445 

aa.  Second  interhaemal  spine  normally  developed,  not  hollow,  the  air- 
bladder  not  entering  it. 

b.  Second  interhaemal  spine  very  short,  bluntish;  anal  spines  2,  both 

small ;  preopercle  and  preorbital  entire Ulcema,  447 

bb.  Second  interhaemal  spine  long,  spear-shaped;  anal  spines  2  or  3, 
the  second  enlarged. 

c.  Preopercle  entire;  second  anal  spine  moderate Xystcema,  447 

cc.  Preopercle  serrate;  second  anal  spine  much  enlarged.  .Gerres,  447 

GENUS  EUCINOSTOMUS  BAIRD  &  GIRARD 

The  Mojarritas 

This  genus,  sufficiently  defined  in  the  preceding  key,  is  repre- 
sented in  our  waters  by  5  species,  which  may  be  distinguished  as  follows : 

445 


The  Mojarritas 

a.  Premaxillary  groove  wholly  naked,  linear  or  semioval,  sometimes 

constricted  at  base,  but  never  scaled. 

b.  Eye  very  large,  greater  than  snout,  2f  in  head;  exposed  portion  of 

maxillary  small,  triangular dowi,  446 

bb.  Eye  moderate,  about  equal  to  snout,  usually  more  than  3  in  head; 
exposed  portion  of  maxillary  triangular  in  front,  oblong  behind. 

c.  Body  elongate,  the  back  little  elevated,  the  greatest  depth  ^\  to  j\ 

in  length pseudogula,  445 

cc.   Body  deeper  and  more  compressed,  the  back  more  elevated,  the 
greatest  depth  2-f  in  length. 

d.  Snout  blunt;  eye  large,  scarcely  3  in  head;  second  anal  spine  large, 

2|  to  3!  in  head;  premaxillary  groove  linear. .  .harengulus,  446 
dd.  Snout  less  blunt;  eye  smaller,  more  than  3  in  head;  premaxillary 

groove  linear  in  young,  becoming  broader  with  age;  second  anal 

spine  shorter,  3^  to  4^  in  head calif orniensis,  446 

aa.  Premaxillary  groove  scaled  in  front,  the  scales  leaving  a  naked  pit 

behind gula,  446 

Eucinostomus  dowi  is  found  on  our  Pacific  coast  about  Panama 
and  the  Galapagos  Islands.  It  reaches  6  inches  in  length. 

E.  pseudogula  is  found  among  the  West  Indies,  about  the  Bermu- 
das and  south  to  Brazil.  It  reaches  a  length  of  7  inches,  and  is  not 
uncommon. 

E.  harengulus  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  species  and  is  common 
on  our  Atlantic  coast  from  north  Florida  southward  to  Brazil.  It  is 
found  about  all  the  West  Indies  and  is  abundant  about  Porto  Rico.  It 
reaches  7  or  8  inches  in  length.  It  is  very  close  to  E.  dowi. 

E.  californiensis,  the  mojarra  cantilena,  is  found  on  the  Pacific 
coast  of  Mexico  and  from  Guaymas  to  Panama,  and  has  been  once 
taken  at  San  Diego.  It  is  exceedingly  abundant  in  shallow  bays  and 
estuaries,  and  enters  freshwater  streams.  It  attains  a  length  of  8 
inches  and  is  of  considerable  food-value. 

E.  gula,  known  variously  as  silver  jenny,  mojarra  de  ley,  mojarra, 
and  petite  gueule  is  excessively  common  everywhere  in  shallow  water 
and  on  sandy  shores  from  the  Carolinas  to  Brazil,  and  the  young  stray 
north  to  Woods  Hole.  About  Porto  Rico  it  is  quite  'common.  It 
reaches  5  or  6  inches  in  length  and  is  much  used  for  bait. 

All  the  species  of  this  genus  are  plain  silvery  in  colour,  without  any 
prominent  markings. 


446 


PINFISH.  Lagodon  rhomboides 


PINFISH,  Lagodon  rhomboides 


Ulaema 


GENUS  UL/EMA  JORDAN  &  EYERMANN 

This  genus  is  close  to  Eucinostomus,  from  which  it  differs  in  the 
form  of  the  second  interhaemal.  The  single  species  (Ulczma  lefroyi) 
is  known  from  the  Bermudas,  the  West  Indies,  and  north  on  sandy 
shores  to  Cedar  Keys.  It  reaches  8  inches  in  length,  and  is  plain  sil- 
very in  colour. 


GENUS  XYST/EMA  JORDAN  &  EYERMANN 

This  genus  differs  from  Gerres  in  having  the  preopercle  entire. 
The  single  species  (Xystcema  cinereum)  is  found  on  both  coasts  of  trop- 
ical America,  north  to  Lower  California  and  southern  Florida.  It  is 
generally  common  in  water  of  moderate  depth,  and  ascends  rivers  con- 
siderable distances.  It  reaches  a  foot  or  more  in  length,  and  is  a  food- 
fish  of  no  little  importance.  In  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  common,  it  is 
called  muniama. 

GENUS  GERRES  CUYIER 

This  genus,  distinguished  by  the  long  spear-shaped  interhaemal, 
contains  10  American  species. 

a.  Preorbital  entire;  no  distinct  dark  streaks  along  rows  of  scales. 

b.  Anal  spines  2,  the  rays  9 rhombeus,  448 

bb.  Anal  spines  3,  the  rays  8. 

c.  Premaxillary  groove  broad,  triangular  or  oval,  and  free  from  scales. 

d.  Body  ovate,  the  outline  somewhat  regularly  elliptical,  the  depth  2% 

in  length aureolus,  448 

dd.  Body    rhomboidal,  short  and   deep,  with    angular   outlines,  the 

depth  usually  more  than  half  the  length peruvtanus,  448 

cc.  Premaxillary  groove  broad,  oval,  and  covered  with  scales. 

olisthostomus,  448 
aa.  Preorbital  serrate;  a  distinct  dark  streak  along  each  row  of  scales. 

e.  Scales  moderate  or  large,  34  to  39  in  lateral  line. 

/.  Spines  moderate,  the  second  dorsal  f  to  £  length  of  head. 

g.  Pectoral  short,  barely  reaching  vent;  second  dorsal  spine  if  in  head; 

caudal  shorter  than  head brevimanus,   449 

gg.  Pectoral  at  least  as  long  as  head ;  caudal  longer  than  head. 

h.  Pectoral  as  long  as  head,  not  reaching  anal,  3  103$  in  body;  scales 

38. 

447 


Gerres 


/.  Third  dorsal  spine  rather  longer  than  second;  10  rows  of  scales  be- 
tween lateral  line  and  vent;  opercle  with  few  if  any  small  scales 
at  base lineatus,  449 

«'.  Third  dorsal  spine  not  longer  than  second ;  1 1  rows  of  scales  between 
lateral  line  and  vent;  opercle  with  numerous  small  scales  at 
base brasilianus,  449 

hh.  Pectoral  very  long,  |  longer  than  head,  2\  to  2f  in  body;  scales 
35 embryx,  449 

ff.  Spines  very  high,  the  second  dorsal  longer  than  head.plumiert,  449 

ee.  Scales  small,  44  in  lateral  line mexicanus,  449 

Gerres  rhombeus  is  known  from  the  West  Indies  and  along  the 
Gulf  coast  of  tropical  America.  It  has  been  reported  from  Martinique, 
Jamaica,  Santo  Domingo,  Puerto  Cabello,  Havana,  Aspinwall,  Rio 
Magdalena,  Santa  Lucia,  Porto  Rico,  and  Bahia.  It  reaches  a  length 
of  10  inches,  and  is  generally  common.  It  is  readily  known  by  hav- 
ing only  2  anal  spines. 

G.  aureolus  is  known  only  from  Panama  and  is  very  rare. 

G.  peruvianus  is  found  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  tropical  America 
from  Mazatlan  to  Panama  and  southward.  It  attains  a  small  size, 
but  is  abundant. 


G.  olisthostomMs,  the  Irish  pompano  or  mutton-fish,  is  abundant 
through  the  West  Indies,  south  to  Brazil  and  north  to  southern  Florida. 
It  reaches  a  foot  in  length,  and  is  of  some  value  as  a  food-fish. 

448 


Gerres 

G.  brevimanus  is  a  very  rare  species  known  only  from  the  Pacific 
coast  of  Mexico. 

G.  lineatus,  the  mojarra  china,  occurs  on  the  Pacific  coast  of 
Mexico  from  Mazatlan  southward.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length,  and  is 
used  extensively  as  food. 

G.  brasilianus,  the  patao,  occurs  from  Cuba  to  Brazil,  reaches  a 
foot  in  length,  and  is  a  food-fish  where  abundant. 

G.  embryx  is  known  only  from  rather  deep  water  off  the  coast 
of  South  Carolina.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length,  but  is  not  common. 

G.  plumieri  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  species,  occurring  from 
southern  Florida  throughout  the  West  Indies  and  south  to  Brazil. 
It  attains  a  length  of  10  inches,  and  is  used  both  as  food  and  bait. 

G.  mexicanus  is  known  only  from  the  Rio  Teapa,  Mexico,  from 
which  we  have  recently  received  specimens,  the  largest  of  which  is 
about  10  inches  long. 


449 


THE  RUDDER-FISHES 

Family  LV.     Kyphosidce 

HERBIVOROUS  fishes,  with  incisors  only  in  the  front  of  the  jaws; 
body  oblong  or  elevated,  with  moderate  or  small  scales;  mouth  mod- 
erate, with  incisor-like  teeth  in  front;  no  molars;  premaxillaries  mod- 
erately protractile;  pseudobranchiae  well  developed;  opercles  entire; 
gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  dorsal  fin  continuous 
or  divided,  with  10  to  15  rather  strong  spines;  anal  with  3  spines. 

A  family  with  a  good  many  species;  shore-fishes,  feeding  largely  on 
green  or  olive  algae;  chiefly  found  in  the  Mediterranean  and  in  the 
Pacific;  most  of  them  valued  as  food.  About  6  genera  and  10 species 
within  our  limits. 

a.  Soft  parts  of  dorsal  and  anal  fins  naked  or  only  partly  scaled ;  teeth 

in  broad  bands,  all  freely  movable,  none  on  vomer. 

b.  Dorsal  spines  14  or  1 5 Girella,  450 

bb.  Dorsal  spines  12  or  13 Doydixodon,  45 1 

aa.  Soft  parts  of  dorsal  and  anal  fins  closely  scaled;  teeth  more  or  less 

fixed,  usually  present  on  vomer. 

c.  Top  of  head  naked  as  far  back  as  posterior  margin. of  eyes. 

Hermosilla,  451 
cc.  Top  of  head  as  well  as  its  sides  and  jaws  closely  scaled. 

d.  Incisors  strong,  with  horizontal  backward  projecting  roots. 

e.  Incisor  teeth  well  developed,  each  with  a  conspicuous  horizontal 

process  or  root;  caudal  fin  moderate,  about  as  long  as  head. 

Kyphosus,  452 
ee.  Incisor  teeth  small,  with  inconspicuous  roots;  caudal  much  longer 

than  head Sectator,  453 

dd.  Incisors  very  narrow,  without  evident  roots Medialuna,  453 

GENUS  GIRELLA  GRAY 

Body  oblong-ovate,  compressed,  covered  with  rather  large  scales; 
mouth  small,  with  a  series  of  tricuspid,  movable  incisors,  behind 
which  is  a  broad  band  of  similar  smaller  ones;  no  molars;  no  teeth 
on  vomer  or  tongue;  cheeks  with  very  small  scales;  opercles  and  top 
of  head  chiefly  naked;  gill-rakers  slender;  dorsal  fin  rather  low,  XIV, 
14,  scaled  at  the  base,  forming  an  imperfect  sheath;  anal  fin  III,  12, 
the  spines  small,  graduated;  caudal  lunate. 

45° 


Doydixodon 

This  genus  contains  several  species,  chiefly  on  the  east  coast  of 
Asia.  Only  one  species,  Girella  nigricans,  is  found  on  our  coast. 
This  species,  called  the  green-fish,  occurs  on  the  California  coast  from 
Monterey  to  Cape  San  Lucas  and  Guaymas.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length, 
is  a  common  and  active  inhabitant  of  rock-pools,  and  is  a  food-fish  of 
fair  quality.  In  life  it  is  dusky  green,  paler  below ;  fins  dusky  greenish ; 
young  with  a  large  yellowish  blotch  on  the  back  on  each  side  of  dorsal. 


GENUS  DOYDIXODON  VALENCIENNES 

This  genus  is  very  close  to  Girella,  from  which  it  seems  to  differ 
in  having  the  soft  dorsal  and  anal  elevated,  and  only  12  or  13  dorsal 
spines.  The  single  species  in  our  waters  is  D.  freminvillei,  a  very 
rare  species  known  only  from  the  Galapagos  and  the  coast  of  Peru. 

GENUS  HERMOSILLA  JENKINS  •&-  EVERMANN 

This  genus  is  allied  to  Kyphosus,  from  which  it  differs  in  the 
weaker  gill-rakers,  the  entire  preopercular  margin,  absence  of  teeth  on 


tongue,  the  larger  scales,  and  the  less  complete  squamation  of  the  head. 
But  one  species  is  known,  H.  a^urea,  which  occurs  at  Guaymas 


4-51 


The  Chopas 

in  the  Gulf  of  California.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and  is  a  good 
food-fish,  but  not  abundant  enough  to  be  of  much  importance.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  species  of  the  family. 

Colour  in  life,  dark  steel-blue,  paler  below;  body  with  about  12 
vertical  blackish  bars;  a  dark  streak  from  maxillary  to  angle  of  opercle; 
a  black  opercular  spot;  fins  mostly  dark. 


GENUS  KYPHOSUS  LACEPEDE 

The   Chopas 

Body  elongate-ovate,  regularly  elliptical,  moderately  compressed ; 
head  short,  the  snout  blunt;  eye  large;  mouth  small,  horizontal;  ma'x- 
illary  barely  reaching  eye;  each  jaw  with  a  single  series  of  rather 
narrow,  obtusely-lanceolate  incisors,  behind  these  a  narrow  band  of 
villiform  teeth;  fine  teeth  on  vomer,  palatines,  and  tongue;  gill-rakers 
long;  preopercle  scarcely  serrate;  scaling  very  complete,  the  space 
between  and  about  the  eyes  being  the  only  naked  part;  scales  small, 
thick,  ctenoid,  60  to  70  in  the  lateral  line;  scales  entirely  covering  soft 
parts  of  vertical  fins  and  extending  on  paired  fins;  dorsal  fin  low,  with 
about  1 1  spines,  which  are  depressible  in  a  groove  of  scales,  the  fin 
continuous,  but  the  last  spines  low,  so  that  a  depression  occurs  be- 
tween the  2  parts  of  the  fin  whose  bases  are  about  equal;  anal  with  3 
spines;  caudal  moderately  forked. 

This  genus  contains  about  10  species,  chiefly  confined  to  the 
Pacific,  and  most  of  them  found  in  the  Indian  Ocean;  about  5  species 
within  our  waters,  all  food-fishes  of  excellent  flavour. 

a.  Soft  part  of  anal  very  long  and  low,  its  longest  rays  j>\  to  4  in  head, 

and  3  in  soft  part  of  fin;  D.  XI,  14 analogus,  452 

aa.  Anal  fin  moderately  elevated  in  front,  and  rather  short,  its  longest 
rays  \\  to  2  in  base  of  soft  part  of  fin;  D.  XI,  n  or  12. 

b.  Teeth  rather  narrow  and  subacute;  maxillary  short,  barely  reaching 

eye,  about  j\  in  head. 

c.  Scales  moderate,  10-65-20;  A.  Ill,  13 incisor,  453 

cc.  Scales  smaller,  about  12-67-20;  A.  Ill,  1 1 elegans,  453 

ccc.  Scales  rather  large,  10-55-16;  A.  Ill,  n sectatrix,  453 

bb.  Teeth  broad  and  rounded;  maxillary  rather  long,  reaching  pupil, 

3^  in  head lutescens,  45  3 

Kyphosus  analogus,  the  salema,  is  found  on  the  Pacific  coast  from 
the  Gulf  of  California  to  Mazatlan.  It  is  not  rare,  reaches  a  length  of 

4S2 


BERMUDA  CHUB.Kyphosiissectatrtx 


HOGFISH,  Lachnolaimus  maximus 


The  Chopas 

18  inches,  and  is  used  as  food.  It  is  distinguished  chiefly  by  the  shape 
of  the  anal  and  the  bright  gray  or  steel-blue  colouration. 

K.  incisor,  the  chopa  amarilla,  has  been  recorded  from  Cuba,  Bra- 
zil, and  the  Canaries.  It  reaches  2\  103  feet  in  length  and  is  a  rare 
species. 

K.  elegans,  the  chopa,  is  found  on  our  Pacific  coast  from  Guaymas 
to  Mazatlan.  It  is  rather  common  about  Mazatlan,  especially  in  the 
sluggish  waters  of  the  astillero.  It  reaches  a  foot  or  more  in  length. 

K.  sectatrix  is  the  most  important  species  of  the  genus.  It  is  of 
wide  distribution,  occurring  on  our  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts, 
among  the  West  Indies,  and  straying  north  to  Cape  Cod  and  even  to 
the  Canaries  and  Palermo.  It  is  known  as  the  rudder-fish,  Bermuda 
chub,  chub,  and  chopa  blanca.  It  has  long  been  noted  for  its  habit 
of  following  vessels,  supposedly  for  the  waste  food  thrown  overboard; 
hence  the  name  rudder-fish.  About  Key  West  the  chub  is  locally 
abundant,  preferring  the  vicinity  of  shoals  and  bars.  It  is  said  to  school 
in  summer.  The  maximum  size  is  8  or  9  pounds,  the  average  being 
only  2  or  3  pounds.  As  a  game-fish  this  is  the  most  interesting  of  the 
family.  At  Key  West  it  is  readily  taken  with  the  hook  baited  with 
pieces  of  the  spiny  crawfish.  It  bites  quickly  and  makes  a  splendid 
fight,  its  tactics  being  those  of  a  very  large  bluegill.  Any  .angler  going 
to  Key  West  or  Bermuda  should  not  fail  to  spend  a  day  in  chub-fishing. 

The  remaining  species  of  this  genus,  K.  lutescens,  is  known  only 
from  the  Revillagigedo  Islands,  where  it  is  not  rare. 

The  genus  Sectator  Jordan  &  Fesler  is  close  to  Kyphosus,  from 
which  it  differs  in  its  smaller  incisor  teeth  and  in  the  deeply-forked 
caudal.  The  single  known  species,  5.  ocyurus,  is  very  rare,  being 
known  only  from  Panama. 

Thegenus  Medialuna  Jordan  &  Fesler  differs  from  Kyphosus  chiefly 
in  the  very  narrow  rootless  incisors.  The  single  species,  M.  californi- 
ensis,  is  a  handsome  fish  found  on  our  Pacific  coast  from  Point  Con- 
ception to  Cerros  Island. 

It  is  abundant  on  the  rocky  coast  of  southern  California,  reaches  a 
foot  in  length,  and  is  an  excellent  food-fish.  Colour,  blackish,  with 
steely  lustre;  paler,  often  mottled  below;  side  with  faint  oblique  verti- 
cal lines  of  spots;  fins  blackish. 


453 


THE  CROAKERS 

Family  LVI.     Scicenidce 

BODY  compressed,  more  or  less  elongate,  covered  with  rather  thin 
scales  which  are  usually  more  or  less  ctenoid;  lateral  line  continuous, 
extending  on  caudal  fin;  head  usually  large,  scaly;  bones  of  head  cav- 
ernous, the  muciferous  system  highly  developed,  the  surface  of  the 
skull  very  uneven;  chin  usually  with  pores,  sometimes  with  barbels; 
mouth  small  or  large,  the  teeth  in  one  or  more  series,  the  outer  some- 
times enlarged;  canines  often  present;  no  incisors  or  molars;  no  teeth 
on  vomer,  palatines,  or  tongue;  maxillary  without  supplemental  bone; 
premaxillaries  somewhat  protractile;  nostrils  double;  pseudobranchia; 
usually  present  and  usually  large;  branchiostegals  7;  gill-membranes 
separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  lower  pharyngeals  separate  or  united, 
often  enlarged,  the  teeth  conic  or  molar;  preopercle  serrate  or  not; 
opercle  usually  ending  in  2  flat  points;  dorsal  deeply  notched  or 
divided  into  2  fins,  the  soft  portion  being  the  longer,  the  spines  de- 
pressible  into  a  groove;  anal  with  never  more  than  2  spines;  caudal 
usually  not  forked;  ear-bones  or  otoliths  very  large;  air-bladder  usu- 
ally large  and  complicated  (wanting  in  Menticirrhus). 

This  is  a  very  large  and  very  important  family  of  some  30  genera 
and  150  species,  found  on  sandy  shores  in  all  warm  seas;  some 
species  ranging  northward  and  a  few  confined  to  fresh  water.  None 
occurs  in  deep  water  and  none  about  rocks.  Many  of  them  reach  a 
large  size,  and  nearly  all  are  valued  as  food.  All  are  carnivorous,  and 
some  are  of  interest  as  game-fishes.  Most  of  the  species  make  a 
peculiar  noise,  variously  called  croaking,  grunting,  drumming,  or  snor- 
ing, supposed  to  be  produced  by  forcing  air  from  the  air-bladder  into 
one  of  the  lateral  horns.  Only  the  more  important  genera  are  included 
in  the  following  key : 

a.  Vertebrae  14  or  1 5  +  10  or  1 1 ;  abdominal  portion  of  body  long. 

b.  Anal  fin  long,  of  1 5  to  21  rays Seriphus,  455 

bb.  Anal  fin  moderate  or  short,  of  7  to  13  rays Cynoscion,  455 

aa.  Vertebrae  9  to  12+13  to  2O5  abdominal  portion  of  body  shorter. 

c.  Lower  pharyngeals  separate. 

d.  Lower  jaw  without  barbels. 

e.  Teeth  well  developed,  permanent  in  both  jaws. 

/.  Gill-rakers  long  and  slender Bairdiella,  460 

ff.  Gill-rakers  short  and  thick Scitznops,  461 

454 


The  Weakfishes 

ee.  Teeth   very   small,   subequal,   those   in   lower  jaw  deciduous  or 
wanting Leiostomus,  462 

dd.  Lower  jaw  with  i  or  more  barbels. 

g.  Lower  jaw  with  slender  barbels,  usually  several  in  number. 

Micropogon,  463 

gg.  Lower  jaw  with  a  single  thickish  barbel  at  tip. .  Menticirrhus,  464 

cc.  Lower  pharyngeals  very  large  and  completely  united,  covered  with 
coarse,  blunt,  paved  teeth. 

h.  Lower  jaw    with    numerous   barbels;    preopercle    nearly   entire; 
marine  species Pogonias,  466 

hh.  Lower  jaw  without  barbels;    preopercle   slightly  serrate;   fresh- 
water species Aplodinotus,  467 

The  genus  Seriphus,  sufficiently  characterized  in  the  foregoing 
key,  contains  but  i  species.  This  is  5.  politus,  the  queenfish  or  white 
croaker,  which  occurs  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  Point  Conception  to 
Cerros  Island.  It  is  common  on  sandy  shores,  especially  about  San 
Diego.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and  is  an  excellent  pan-fish. 
Colour,  bluish  above,  sides  and  belly  bright  silvery,  finely  punctate; 
vertical  fins  bright  yellow  in  life;  base  of  pectoral  blackish. 


GENUS   CYNOSCION  GILL 

The  Weakfishes 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed,  the  back  not  elevated;  head 
conic,  rather  pointed ;  mouth  very  large,  terminal,  not  very  oblique, 
the  lower  jaw  projecting;  maxillary  very  broad;  teeth  sharp,  not  close- 
set,  in  rather  narrow  bands;  tip  of  lower  jaw  without  canines;  upper 
jaw  with  2  long  canines,  one  of  these  sometimes  obsolete;  canines 
tapering  from  base  to  tip;  lateral  teeth  of  lower  jaw  larger  than  anterior; 
preopercle  with  its  membranous  edge  serrulate,  its  bony  edge  entire; 
lower  pharyngeals  separate,  their  teeth  all  pointed;  gill-rakers  strong, 
rather  long;  pseudobranchise  well  developed;  dorsal  spines  slender, 
the  fins  closely  contiguous,  the  second  long  and  low,  more  than  twice 
length  of  anal. 

An  important  genus  of  large  fishes,  chiefly  American,  closely  re- 
lated to  the  Old-World  genus  Otolithus.  All  rank  high  as  food-fishes, 
the  flesh  being  rich,  but  in  some  species  tender  and  easily  torn,  hence 
the  popular  name  weakfishes. 

a.  Scales  not  very  small,  the  lateral  line  with  55  to  75  pores,  the  num- 
ber of  scales  55  to  85. 

455 


California  White  Sea-bass 

the  presence  of  numerous  round  black  spots  on  the  body  posteriorly. 
It  becomes  more  abundant  southward  until,  off  the  coast  from  North 
Carolina  to  Georgia,  it  is  one  of  the  most  common  food-fishes.  Owing 


to  its  shape  and  spots,  it  is  known  on  the  Southern  coast  as  salmon  or 
spotted  sea-trout,  names  wholly  inappropriate.  Spotted  squeteague 
is  a  much  better  name. 

Among  the  commercial  fishes  of  Indian  River  this  species  ranks 
fourth.  Though  it  is  present  throughout  the  year,  the  largest  catches 
are  made  during  the  latter  part  of  winter  and  early  spring.  The 
average  weight  is  2  to  4  pounds,  though  the  maximum  is  much 
greater;  we  have  seen  an  example  at  Fort  Pierce,  Indian  River,  weigh- 
ing \j\  pounds. 

The  spotted  squeteague  is  more  migratory  in  its  habits  than  its 
relatives.  At  Beaufort  it  appears  from  the  South  in  the  spring  and 
passes  through  the  inlets  on  the  flood-tide.  Early  in  May  they  pro- 
ceed northward,  extending  their  journeys  as  far  as  Long  Island.  On 
the  North  Carolina  coast  they  are  perhaps  more  abundant  than  any 
other  species,  excepting,  of  course,  the  mullet. 

As  a  game-fish  this  species  is  scarcely  inferior  to  the  common 
squeteague. 

California  White  Sea-bass 

Cynoscion  nobilis  (Ayres) 

This  important  game-fish  is  perhaps  most  abundant  about  Santa 
Catalina,  but  ranges  north  to  San  Francisco,  and  occasionally  even  to 

458 


California  White  Sea-bass 

Victoria,  Vancouver  Island.  It  reaches  a  weight  of  20  to  80  pounds, 
and  is  one  of  the  really  great  game-fishes.  Professor  Holder  says: 

"The  season  is  generally  May  and  June.  Of  7  caught  in  one 
day  by  the  writer  with  a  i6-strand  line  each  weighed  over  50  pounds, 
and  every  fish  made  a  play  of  from  15  to  30  minutes  that  can  only  be 
described  by  the  term  magnificent.  There  is  a  difference  in  individuals, 
but  one  51 -pound  bass,  taken  after  a  25-minute  contest,  I  believe,  gave 
me  more  pleasure  than  any  catch  I  ever  made. 

"The  fish  played  entirely  on  the  surface,  and  I  only  saved  it  by  the 
skill  and  quick  movements  of  my  boatman  as  the  fish  repeatedly 
rushed  around  the  boat.  This  fish  is  a  beautiful  creature  in  bronze 
and  old-gold  tints,  and  is  well  called  the  Santa  Catalina  salmon,  having 
a  close  resemblance  to  that  fish  and  being  its  equal  in  every  way.  The 
equipment  used  is,  so  far  as  line  is  concerned,  the  same  as  for  the 
tuna,  though  I  prefer  a  lighter  line  and  a  lighter  rod.  Flying-fish  or 
large  smelt  is  the  killing  bait,  trolled  slowly  along  not  50  feet  from  the 
shore.  All  my  catches  were  made  in  Avalon  Bay  not  200  feet  from 
shore,  and  around  the  first  week  in  May." 

Cynoscion  nothus,  which  is  usually  called  the  bastard  weakfish,  is 


a  well-marked  species,  differing  in  numerous  respects  from  the  others 
of  the  genus.  It  occurs  on  our  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts,  and  is 
a  good  food-fish.  Colour,  grayish  silvery,  thickly  punctulate  above 
and  on  sides  to  level  of  pectorals,  then  abruptly  silvery,  a  row  of  dark 
points  marking  the  line  of  division ;  snout  and  tip  of  lower  jaw  black- 
ish; mouth  white  within;  lower  fins  white,  the  upper  dusky. 

C.  reticulatus,  the  corvina,  is  found  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama. 
It  reaches  a  length  of  3  feet  and  is  a  common  food-fish  on  the  Pacific 
coast  of  Mexico. 

459 


The  Mademoiselles 

C.  parmpinnis,  the  California  bluefish,  is  found  on  our  Pacific 
coast  from  the  Santa  Barbara  Islands  to  Guaymas  and  Mazatlan.  It  is 
common  as  far  north  as  San  Pedro,  and  is  an  excellent  food-fish,  not 
inferior  to  the  squeteague.  Colour,  clear  steel-blue,  without  stripes  or 
spots;  lower  fins  yellowish. 

C.  macdonaldi,  the  totuava,  is  the  largest  species  of  the  genus.  It 
is  known  only  from  the  Gulf  of  California,  where  it  is  very  abundant 
along  the  entire  eastern  shore,  congregating  in  great  numbers  about  the 
mouth  of  the  Colorado  River.  It  enters  the  river  and  is  found  feeding 
in  shallow  water  near  the  shore,  where  it  is  easily  approached  and 
speared.  At  the  head  of  the  Gulf  it  is  known  as  the  sea-bass,  while  at 
Guaymas  it  is  called  totuava.  It  reaches  an  enormous  size,  examples 
weighing  172  pounds  having  been  taken  with  hand-lines  at  the  head  of 
the  Gulf. 

GENUS  BAIRDIELLA  GILL 

The  Mademoiselles 

This  genus  is  characterized  by  the  oblique  mouth,  little  cavernous 
skull,  few  rows  of  small  teeth,  slender  gill-rakers,  and  the  preopercle 
armed  with  a  plectroid  spine. 

The  numerous  species  are  all  American,  all  small  in  size  and  sil- 


very in  colouration.     Some  of  them  are  remarkable  for  the  great  size 
of  the  second  anal  spine,  while  in  others  it  is  quite  small. 

460 


Sciaenops 

The  only  species  which  is  of  much  food-value  is  the  yellowtail  or 
mademoiselle.  It  is  a  well-known  fish,  very  common  from  New 
England  to  Texas  on  sandy  shores.  It  is  most  abundant  southward. 
It  reaches  a  foot  or  less  in  length  and  is  a  most  excellent  pan-fish. 

Colour,  greenish  above,  silvery  below ;  back  and  sides  more  or 
less  densely  punctate  with  dark  dots,  forming  narrow,  somewhat 
irregular  streaks;  fins  plain,  mostly  yellow  in  life. 


GENUS  SCI^NOPS  GILL 

\ 

This  genus  is  very  close  to  Ophioscion,  from  which  it  differs  in 
the  loss  of  the  preopercular  spines  with  age,  the  serrate  edge  of  the 
bone  becoming  entire;  caudal  truncate  or  concave;  soft  dorsal  scale- 
less;  slits  and  pores  of  upper  jaw  well  developed. 

The  genus  contains  but  one  species,  Scicenops  ocellatus,  the  red- 
drum,  channel-bass,  redfish,  bull  redfish,  or  pescado  Colorado,  well 


known  as  an  abundant  and  important  food-fish  of  our  South  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  coasts,  from  New  York  to  Texas.  It  is  very  abundant, 
especially  southward,  and  is  of  rare  occurrence  north  of  Virginia.  It  is 
fifth  among  the  commercial  fishes  of  Indian  River,  but  is  rare  at  Key 
West.  On  the  Texas  coast  it  is  the  most  abundant  food-fish.  Its 
habits  have  never  been  fully  studied.  In  Indian  River  it  seems  to  be 
resident,  being  most  common  in  winter  and  early  spring.  The 
larger  individuals,  such  as  are  usually  called  channel-bass,  appear  to 
leave  the  river  for  a  brief  time  during  the  coldest  season,  and  they  also 

461 


Leiostomus 

go  outside  for  a  time  during  the  warmest  period.  The  spawning 
season  here  probably  extends  from  spring  to  fall  and  the  fish  probably 
spawn  inside  the  river. 

The  food  of  the  red-drum  consists  chiefly  of  small  fish  such  as 
young  mullet,  crustaceans,  and  mollusks. 

This  fish  reaches  a  length  of  4  or  5  feet  and  a  weight  of  at  least  40 
pounds,  and  fish  of  12  to  15  pounds  are  not  rare.  Fish  of  greater 
weight  than  15  pounds  are,  however,  coarse  and  not  readily  salable. 
Those  of  4  to  6  pounds  are  best  for  shipping.  As  a  game-fish  the 
red-drum  must  take  good  rank.  Mr.  S.  C.  Clarke  and  others  have 
written  its  praises,  and  we  ourselves  have  had  exciting  experiences 
with  it  in  Indian  River.  Still-fishing  is  the  method  employed,  and  any 
sort  of  bait  will  serve,  though  a  piece  of  a  mullet  or  other  fish  is  best. 
The  bait  may  lie  upon  the  bottom  or  dangle  a  few  inches  above  it. 
The  red-drum  may  be  cautious  and  slow  to  take  the  bait,  but  when 
once  hooked  its  strength  and  size  enable  it  to  make  a  pretty  fight. 

Though  an  important  commercial  fish,  its  flesh  is  not  of  high 
quality,  as  it  is  stringy  and  lacking  in  flavour. 

This  fish  is  so  well  known  as  to  need  no  extended  description. 
It  may  easily  be  known  by  its  colour,  which  is  grayish  silvery  usually 
washed  with  coppery  red;  each  scale  with  a  centre  of  dark  points, 
forming  rather  obscure  irregular,  undulating  brown  stripes  along  the 
rows  of  scales;  a  jet-black  ocellated  spot  about  as  large  as  eye  at 
base  of  caudal  above,  this  sometimes  duplicated,  and  the  body  occa- 
sionally with  ocelli. 


GENUS  LEIOSTOMUS  LACEPEDE 

Body  oblong-ovate,  the  back  compressed;  head  obtuse;  mouth 
small,  horizontal,  the  upper  jaw  with  a  band  of  feeble  teeth,  the  lower 
nearly  or  quite  toothless;  slits  and  pores  of  upper  jaw  well  developed; 
lower  pharyngeals  separate,  the  teeth  paved ;  preopercle  with  a  mem- 
branaceous  border;  D.  X  — I,  31,  the  spines  slender  and  rather  high, 
the  last  connected  with  the  soft  rays;  A.  II,  12,  the  second  spine  not 
large;  caudal  fin  emarginate;  gill-membranes  slightly  connected;  gill- 
rakers  slender. 

This  genus  differs  from  Scicena  chiefly  by  the  absence  of  teeth  in 
the  lower  jaw  and  by  the  more  paved  teeth  on  the  pharyngeals.  The 
single  species,  Leiostomus  xanthurus,  is  a  popular  and  well-known  fish 

462 


CROAKER  MieropogOM  undulatus 


SPOT,  Leiostomus  xanthurus 


The  Croakers 

on  our  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts,  under  the  vernacular  names  spot, 
goody,  lafayette,  roach,  chub,  chopa  blanca,  and  masooka.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  common  pan-fishes  on  our  coast  and  is  excellent  in  every 
respect.  It  occurs  as  far  north  as  Cape  Cod  and  as  far  south  as  Texas, 
but  is  very  rare  in  the  West  Indies. 

The  spot  is  a  small  fish,  reaching  only  6  to  10  inches  in  length,  and 
consequently  not  likely  to  prove  very  exciting  to  the  angler,  albeit  it 
takes  the  hook  readily  and  is  well  worth  taking  when  larger  fish 
refuse  to  bite. 

Colour,  bluish  above,  silvery  below;  about  15  narrow  dark  wavy 
bands  extending  from  the  dorsal  downward  and  forward  to  below 
lateral  line;  a  round  black  humeral  spot  rather  smaller  than  the  eye; 
fins  plain  olivaceous,  the  caudal  not  yellow. 


GENUS  MICROPOGON 

&•  l/ALENCIENNES 

The  Croakers 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed,  somewhat  elevated;  pre- 
opercle  strongly  serrate;  teeth  in  villiform  bands,  the  outer  row  in  the 
upper  jaw  somewhat  enlarged;  lower  jaw  with  a  row  of  minute  bar- 
bels on  each  side;  gill-rakers  short  and  thickish;  spinous  dorsal  rather 
short,  of  10  or  11  stoutish  spines;  second  anal  spine  moderate;  caudal 
fin  double-truncate;  lower  pharyngeals  narrow,  distinct,  with  sharp 
conical  teeth;  air-bladder  with  long  horns. 

This  is  a  well-marked  genus  with  about  5  species,  all  American, 
distinguished  from  Ophioscion  and  Scicenops  by  the  presence  of  bar- 
bels. The  species  are  all  closely  related,  and  are  similar  in  form,  colour, 
and  size. 

The  only  species  of  importance  is  the  common  croaker,  Micropogon 
undulatus.  Every  one  on  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts  knows  the 
croaker.  It  is  an  abundant  and  important  food-fish  all  the  way  from 
Cape  Cod  to  Texas,  being  most  common  southward,  but  not  known 
from  the  West  Indies.  At  Beaufort,  N.  C,  it  is,  next  to  the  mullet  and 
the  spot,  the  most  common  food-fish ;  and  in  the  markets  of  Baltimore, 
Washington,  and  southward  there  is  no  more  familiar  fish.  It  appears 
to  be  uncommon  in  Indian  River,  but  is  present  in  limited  numbers 
throughout  the  year.  On  the  Gulf  coast  it  is  exceedingly  abundant  in 

463 


The  Kingfishes 

all  the  bays  and  bayous,  where  it  is  found  at  all  times.  The  croakers 
live  mostly  in  shallow  water  on  grassy  bottom,  and  feed  upon  crusta- 
ceans and  mollusks.  They  breed  in  the  bays  in  early  winter.  They 
reach  a  foot  in  length  and  are  an  excellent  pan-fish.  Commercially 
they  are  caught  with  haul-seines.  They  take  the  hook  readily  and 
fight  fairly  well.  A  slight,  pliant  rod  with  a  stiffish  tip,  a  reel,  a  float 
or  not  as  circumstances  require,  and  hook  baited  with  shrimp  or  soft 
crab,  will  usually  prove  the  proper  thing. 

Colour,  brassy,  paler  below;  middle  part  of  body  with  short,  ir- 
regular, dusky  vertical  bars  crossing  the  lateral  line;  many  dark  brown 
spots  on  side  of  back,  irregularly  placed  and  not  forming  continuous 
streaks  along  rows  of  scales;  usually  some  of  these  coalesce  to  form  2 
dark  streaks  concurrent  with  the  back. 


GENUS  MENTICIRRHUS   GILL 

The  Kingfishes 

Body  rather  elongate,  little  compressed;  head  long,  subconic,  the 
bluntish  snout  considerably  projecting  beyond  the  mouth,  which  is 
small  and  horizontal;  both  jaws  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth,  the 
outer  of  the  upper  jaw  more  or  less  enlarged;  chin  with  a  single 
stoutish  barbel;  preopercle  with  its  membranaceous  edge  serrulate; 
gill-rakers  short  and  tubercular  or  obsolete;  dorsal  spines  high  and 
slender,  10  or  11  in  number;  soft  dorsal  long  and  low;  caudal  fin  with 
the  lower  lobe  rounded,  the  upper  sharp;  anal  with  a  single  weak 
spine;  no  air-bladder;  lower  pnaryngeals  separate,  the  teeth  varying 
from  sharp  to  very  obtuse. 

This  genus  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  family,  containing 
9  species,  all  American.  Only  a  few  are  of  food-value. 

a.  Gill-rakers  obsolete,  reduced  to  tubercular  prominences. 

b.  Mouth  rather  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  middle  of  eye,  2|  to  3^  in 

head. 
£.  Outer  teeth  of  upper  jaw  decidedly  enlarged ;  spinous  dorsal  not 

much  elevated,  the  longest  not  usually  reaching  front  of  soft 

dorsal,  i£  to  if  in  head americamis,  465 

cc.  Outer  teeth  of  upper  jaw  less  enlarged;  spinous  dorsal  elevated, 

the  longest  spine  reaching  past  front  of  soft  dorsal,  i£  in  head. 

saxatilis,  465 

464 


The  Kingfishes 

bb.  Mouth  smaller,  the  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  eye,  j\  in  head. 

undulatus,  465 
aa.  Gill-rakers  present,  very  short  and  rather  slender littoralis,  465 

The  most  important  species  is  the  sand  whiting  or  Carolina  whit- 
ing, Menticirrhus  americanus.     It  is  found  on  our  South  Atlantic  and 


Gulf  coasts  from  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to  Texas.  It  is  very  common  on 
sandy  shores  southward,  and  is  a  food-fish  of  considerable  importance. 

Colour,  grayish  silvery,  with  obscure  darker  clouds  along  back 
and  sides,  these  marks  forming  dusky  bars  running  obliquely  forward 
and  downward  to  below  the  lateral  line,  the  bar  at  the  nape  saddle- 
shaped. 

The  Northern  whiting,  kingfish,  or  sea-mink,  M.  saxatilis,  is 
found  from  Cape  Ann  to  Key  West  and  Pensacola,  its  centre  of  greatest 
abundance  being  northward.  It  is  a  good  food-fish.  Colour,  dusky- 
gray  above,  sometimes  blackish,  the  back  and  sides  with  distinct 
dark  oblique  cross-bands  running  downward  and  forward,  the  anterior 
one  at  the  nape  extending  downward,  meeting  the  second  and  thus 
forming  a  V-shaped  blotch  on  each  side. 

The  California  whiting,  M.  undulatus,  occurs  from  the  Santa 
Barbara  Islands  southward  on  sandy  shores,  and  is  a  food-fish  of  some 
value.  M.  elongatus  is  found  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama  and  is  very 
common  in  the  surf.  Colour,  bluish  on  back  and  sides,  silvery  below, 
without  stripes  or  bands. 

The  surf  whiting  or  silver  whiting,  M.  littoralis,  is  found  on 
sandy  shores  from  the  Carolinas  to  Texas  and  is  generally  common. 
Colour,  silvery  gray  above,  with  bluish  and  bronze  reflections,  with- 

465 


The  Sea-drums 


out  spots;  a  dark  bronze  shade  along  sides  at  level  of  pectorals,  ex- 
tending to  tail  and  along  cheeks;  belly  below  this  abruptly  white; 
dorsal  fins  light  brown,  the  spinous  dorsal  black  at  tip,  the  base 
narrowly  white;  caudal  pale,  its  tip  usually  black. 


GENUS  POGONIAS  LACEPEDE 

The  Sea-drums 

Body  short  and  deep,  the  dorsal  outline  much  elevated,  the 
ventral  nearly  straight;  mouth  moderate,  the  upper  jaw  the  longer; 
teeth  small,  in  villiform  bands,  the  outer  not  enlarged;  lower  pharyn- 
geal  bones  large,  fully  united,  armed  with  strong  paved  teeth ;  lower 
jaw  with  numerous  barbels,  each  about  half  length  of  eye;  preopercle 
entire,  with  a  membranaceous  edge;  dorsal  fins  slightly  connected, 
the  spines  high  and  strong;  caudal  fin  subtruncate;  first  anal  spine 


short,  the  second  exceedingly  large,  nearly  as  long  as  the  soft  rays; 
pectorals  and  ventrals  long;  gill-rakers  short  and  bluntish;  pseudo- 
branchiae  large. 

This  genus  contains  2  species,  both  American,  and  both  large, 
coarse  fishes,  among  the  largest  in  the  family.  The  more  important 
of  the  2  species  is  the  common  drum  or  black  drum,  Pogonias  cromis. 


Aplodinotus 

The  drum  is  found  from  New  England  to  the  Rio  Grande,  and  is 
a  common  and  well-known  fish  on  sandy  shores  everywhere,  particu- 
larly southward.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  food-fishes  on  our  coast. 
The  largest  example  on  record  was  taken  at  St.  Augustine,  Florida, 
and  weighed  146  pounds.  Examples  weighing  50  to  80  pounds  are 
not  rare,  though  those  seen  in  market  weigh  only  a  few  pounds.  The 
drum  is  a  sluggish  fish,  feeding  chiefly  at  the  bottom,  where  their  long, 
sensitive  barbels  aid  them  greatly  in  their  search  for  food,  which  con- 
sists mostly  of  crustaceans  and  mollusks,  which  they  easily  crush  with 
their  strong,  paved  pharyngeal  teeth.  They  are  believed  to  be  very 
destructive  to  oyster-beds,  particularly  southward. 

The  drum  makes  a  loud  drumming  noise,  especially  during  the 
breeding  season,  a  habit  shared  by  many  other  members  of  the  family. 
Small  fish  under  about  20  pounds  are  said  not  to  drum.  The  males 
drum  loudest,  the  females  in  a  softer  tone,  and  the  drumming  is  prob- 
ably for  the  purpose  of  attracting  the  opposite  sex. 

In  the  northern  portion  of  its  range  it  is  not  regarded  as  a  food-fish 
of  any  value,  but  from  Chesapeake  Bay  southward  it  is  held  in  higher 
esteem.  The  flesh  is  coarse,  though  tender  and  of  delicate  flavour. 
The  roe  are  considered  a  great  delicacy  and  are  often  salted  and 
dried. 

The  drum  is  usually  taken  in  seines  or  traps,  but  it  takes  the  hook 
readily  when  baited  with  a  crab  or  shrimp,  and  its  large  size  makes  its 
capture  and  landing  a  matter  of  no  little  interest  to  the  angler. 

The  scales  of  the  drum  are  used  to  some  extent  in  Florida  in  the 
manufacture  of  the  sprays  of  flowers  and  other  articles  of  fancy-work 
which  are  sold  under  the  name  of  "fish-scale  jewelry."  They  are 
large  and  silvery,  and  so  hard  that  it  is  necessary  to  remove  them  with 
an  ax  or  hatchet. 

Colour,  grayish  silvery,  with  4  or  5  broad  dark  vertical  bars,  these 
disappearing  with  age;  usually  no  oblique  dark  streaks  along  the  rows 
of  scales  above;  fins  blackish. 


GENUS  APLODINOTUS  RAFINESQUE 

This  genus  contains  a  single  species,  Aplodinotus  grunniens,  a  large 
freshwater  fish  occurring  in  our  larger  lakes  and  sluggish  streams  and 
bayous  from  the  Great  Lakes  and  west  of  the  Alleghenies  southward 
through  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Louisiana,  and  in  lowland  streams 

467 


Aplodinotus 

through  Texas  to  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande.     It  has  recently  been 
found  by  us  in  the  Rio  Usumacinta,  in  Tabasco,  southern  Mexico. 


It  is  most  abundant  in  the  Great  Lakes  and  in  the  lowland  streams 
of  Louisiana  and  Texas.  A  great  number  of  vernacular  names  have 
been  bestowed  upon  this  interesting  fish.  In  the  Great  Lakes  it  is  the 
sheepshead  or  freshwater  drum;  in  the  lakes  of  northern  Indiana  i.t  is 
called  crocus,  evidently  a  corruption  of  croaker;  in  the  Ohio  it  is  the 
white  perch,  gray  perch,  or  simply  perch;  farther  south  it  is  drum 
or  thunder-pumper;  and  in  Louisiana,  gaspergou. 

It  is  a  bottom  fish,  feeding  chiefly  upon  crustaceans  and  mollusks. 
Northward  the  freshwater  drum  is  not  greatly  valued  as  a  food-fish, 
but  in  the  South  it  is  highly  esteemed.  Ordinarily  we  have  found  the 
flesh  tough  and  coarse  in  fibre,  and  often  with  a  disagreeable  shark- 
like  odour. 

The  gaspergou  is  one  of  our  largest  freshwater  fishes,  as  it  reaches 
a  weight  of  50  to  60  pounds  and  a  length  of  4  feet. 

Colour,  grayish  silvery,  dusky  above,  sometimes  very  dark;  back 
sometimes  with  oblique  dusky  streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales. 


468 


THE    SURF-FISHES 

Family  L  VII.     Embiotocida 

THIS  is  a  large  family,  all  the  species  of  which  are  viviparous. 
The  young  are  hatched  within  the  body  where  they  remain  closely 
packed  in  a  sac-like  enlargement  of  the  oviduct  analogous  to  the 
uterus,  until  born.  These  foetal  fishes  bear  at  first  little  resem- 
blance to  the  parent,  being  closely  compressed  and  having  the 
vertical  fins  exceedingly  elevated.  At  birth  they  are  i^-  to  2\ 
inches  long,  and  similar  to  the  adult  in  appearance,  but  more 
compressed  and  red  in  colour. 

Since  the  discovery  of  their  viviparity  by  Dr.  Gibbons  in  1854, 
these  fishes  have  been  of  special  interest  to  zoologists. 

They  are  all  fishes  of  our  Pacific  Coast,  inhabiting  bays  and 
the  surf  on  sandy  shores,  excepting  2  species  known  from  Japan. 
Several  of  them  are  found  in  brackish  water  and  one  inhabits 
freshwater  streams.  The  different  species  reach  a  length  of  6  to 
1 8  inches  and  are  usually  very  abundant  wherever  found.  Though 
extensively  used  for  food,  the  flesh  is  rather  tasteless  and  bony. 
They  feed  chiefly  upon  small  crustaceans  and  other  invertebrates. 
None  of  them  ranks  high  as  a  game-fish,  though  most  of  the 
species  will  take  the  baited  hook  and  are  able  to  make  a  fairly 
good  fight.  Nearly  all  the  species  are  handsome  fishes,  some  of 
them  being  very  richly  coloured. 

The  surf-fish  family  contains  17  known  genera  with  about 
20  species,  2  of  which  occur  only  in  Japan,  all  the  others  being 
confined  to  the  Pacific  Coast  of  America. 

The  only  species  which  our  space  will  permit  us  to  mention 
are  the  following  : 


469 


The  Surf-Fishes 


The  genus  Hysterocarpus  contains  but  one  species,  H.  traski, 
a   small   freshwater  fish,  locally   abundant   in   the   rivers  of  centra.' 


California.     It  is   probably   most   numerous   in   the   Sacramento. 

The  genus   Abeona    contains   2   species,    A.   minima,    reaching 
6  inches  in  length  and  found    along    the    entire    California    coast 


from  San  Francisco  to  San  Diego.  The  other  species,  A.  aurora, 
is  scarcely  larger  and  is  known  only  from  Monterey  Bay,  where 
it  is  abundant. 


470 


The   Surf- Fishes 


The  genus    Cymatogaster  contains   one    species,  C.  aggregatus, 
which  is  very   abundant  everywhere  from   Fort  Wrangel  to  Lower 


California,  especially  on  sandy  or  muddy  shallows  and  about 
wharves.  It  reaches  6  or  8  inches  in  length  and  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  members  of  the  family.  It  is  the  common 
viviparous  perch  or  sparada  of  the  California  coast.  The  above 
drawing  shows  a  female  with  a  number  of  young. 

The  genus  Brachyistius  has  only  one  species,  B.  frenatus, 
which  reaches  a  length  of  8  inches,  and  is -found  from  Vancouver 
Island  to  Lower  California.  It  is  rather  abundant  northward  in 
shallow  water. 

The  genus  Zalembius,  also  has  a  single  species,  Z.  rosaceus, 
which  occurs  sparingly  on  the  coast  of  California  in  deeper  water 
than  any  of  the  others,  far  below  the  line  of  the  surf.  It  reaches 
8  inches  in  length  and  is  a  beautiful  and  interesting  fish. 

Hypocritichthys  is  another  monotypic  genus,  the  single  species, 
H.  analis,  reaching  a  length  of  6  inches,  being  locally  abun- 
dant between  San  Francisco  and  Point  Conception. 

The  genus  Hyperprosopon  has  2  species.  H.  argenteus,  the  wall- 
eyed surf-fish  or  white  perch,  is  everywhere  common  on  sandy 
snores  from  Cape  Disappointment  to  Todos  Santos  Bay  on  sandy 
shores  in  the  surf.  It  reaches  10  inches  in  length.  H.  agassi^ii 
reaches  a  somewhat  smaller  size  and  is  found  from  San  Francisco 


471 


The  Surf-Fishes 

to  Santa  Barbara.  It  is  perhaps  most  common  on  the  coast  of 
San  Luis  Obispo  County. 

The  genus  Holconotus  has  one  species,  H.  rhodoterus,  which 
is  found  in  some  abundance  along  the  coast  from  San  Francisco  to 
San  Diego.  It  reaches  12  inches  in  length. 

Amphistichiis  argenteus,  the  surf-fish,  is  the  only  species  in  its 
genus.  It  is  very  abundant  on  sandy  shores  from  Cape  Flattery  to 
San  Diego  and  reaches  a  foot  in  length.  The  genus  Embiotoca.  upon 
which  the  name  of  the  familyis  based,  has  one  species,  the  common 
surf-fish  or  black  perch,  E.  jacksoni,  which  is  rather  abundant 
everywhere  from  British  Columbia  to  Lower  California.  Southward 
it  is  the  most  abundant  of  the  larger  species.  It  reaches  a  foot  in 
length.  This  interesting  species  was  named  for  Dr.  A.  C.  Jackson 
of  San  Francisco,  who,  on  June  7,  1852,  discovered  the  viviparity  of 
these  fishes  and  first  brought  the  fact  to  the  attention  of  Professor 
Agassiz. 

The  genus  Tceniotoca  contains  one  species,  T.  lateralis,  the 
blue  perch  or  striped  surf-fish,  which  is  found  from  British  Columbia 
to  San  Diego.  South  of  Point  Conception  it  is  not  common,  but  north- 
ward it  is  very  abundant.  Thanerodon  contains  2  species:  P.  fur- 
catus,  the  white  surf-fish  which  is  found  from  British  Columbia  to 


San  Diego.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length  and  is  exceedingly  abundant 
from  Cape  Mendocino  southward.  The  other  species  is  P.  atripes, 
which  reaches  10  inches  in  length  and  is  found  from  Monterey  to 
San  Diego  in  rather  deep  water. 


473 


The  Surf- Fishes 


The  genus  Rhacochilus  contains  one  species,  R.  loxotes,  occur 
ring  rather  commonly  from  San  Francisco  to  San  Diego.     It  reaches 


1 8  inches  in  length  and  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  family. 

The  genus  Hypsurus  has  a  single  species,  H.  caryi,  which  occurs 
on  the  California  coast  from  Cape  Mendocino  to  San  Diego.     It  is  a 


beautiful  little  fish,  10  inches  long,  and  much  used  as  bait.  About 
San  Francisco  it  is  common  but  south  of  Point  Conception  it  is  rare. 
The  genus  Damalichthys  contains  one  species,  D.  argyrosomus, 
the  white  perch  or  porgee  of  the  Pacific  Coast.  It  is  everywhere 
common  from  British  Columbia  to  Lower  California.  It  is  the  most 


473 


The  Surf- Fishes 


abundant  species  on  the  shores  of  British  Columbia  where  it  enters 
the  inlets  in  thousands.  It  reaches  a  length  of  15  inches  and  is 
used  to  some  extent  as  a  food-fish,  though  its  flesh  is  poor  and 
has  little  flavour. 


474 


THE    CICHLIDS 

Family  L  VIII.     Cichlida 

THE  Cichlids  are  a  large  family  of  freshwater  fishes  of  moderate 
or  small  size  in  southern  Mexico,  Central  and  South  America, 
resembling  in  form,  size,  appearance,  habits,  and  even  in  many 
details  of  structure,  the  sunfishes  or  Centrarchidce  of  the  United 
States,  from  which  they  are  readily  distinguished,  however,  by 
having  the  lower  pharyngeals  fully  united,  and  only  a  single  nos- 
tril on  each  side.  The  family  contains  some  40  genera  and  150 
species.  North  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  are  found  7  genera, 
represented  by  about  60  species.  The  principal  genera  are 
Cichlasoma,  Heros  and  Petenia.  The  species  have  not  been  care- 
fully studied,  and  little  is  known  of  their  habits  or  distribution. 

Petenia  has  with  us  a  single  species,  P.  splendida,  known 
only  from  Lake  Peten  and  the  Rio  Usumacinta.  It  is  a  handsome 
fish  10  inches  long,  and  much  resembling  our  calico  bass  in 
general  appearance. 

The  genus  Cichlasoma  is  a  large  one  with  25  or  30  species, 
north  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  in  all  the  lakes  and  larger 
streams  of  Central  America  and  southern  Mexico.  The  majority 
of  the  species  are  little  known  and  poorly  defined. 

The  genus  Heros  also  contains  many  species,  about  25  being 
within  our  limits,  occupying  the  same  waters  as  the  species  of 
Cichlasoma.  Only  one,  H.  cyanoguttatus,  is  found  as  far  north 
as  the  Rio  Grande,  this  species  having  been  taken  at  Browns- 
ville, Texas. 

All  the  members  of  this  family  are  food-fishes  of  some  value, 
and  some  of  them  at  least  will  take  the  hook. 


475 


THE   WRASSE-FISHES 

Family  LIX.     Labridce 

BODY  oblong  or  elongate,  covered  with  cycloid  scales;  lateral 
line  well  developed,  continuous  or  interrupted,  often  angularly 
bent;  mouth  moderate,  terminal;  premaxillaries  protractile;  maxil- 
lary without  supplemental  bone;  anterior  teeth  in  jaws  usually  very 
strong  and  canine-like,  often  soldered  together  at  base,  but  not 
forming  a  continuous  plate;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines; 
lower  pharyngeals  completely  united  into  one  bone  without 
median  suture,  this  bone  T-shaped  or  Y-shaped,  its  teeth  conical 
or  tubular;  lips  thick,  longitudinally  plicate;  nostrils  round,  with 
2  openings  on  each  side;  dorsal  fin  continuous,  the  spinous  por- 
tion usually  long,  the  spines  usually  slender,  3  to  20  in  number; 
anal  similar  to  the  soft  dorsal,  with  2  to  6  spines;  branchiostegals 
5  or  6;  pseudobranchiae  well  developed;  gills  3^-,  the  slit  behind 
the  last  arch  small  or  obsolete;  gill-membranes  somewhat  con- 
nected, sometimes  joined  to  the  narrow  isthmus;  air-bladder 
present;  no  pyloric  cosca. 

This  is  one  of  the  very  largest  families  of  fishes,  the  known 
genera  being  about  60  and  the  species  about  450.  They  are 
chiefly  tropical  fishes,  living  among  rocks  or  kelp.  Many  of 
them  are  brilliantly  coloured,  and  some  are  valued  as  food.  Most 
of  them  feed  upon  mollusks,  the  dentition  being  well  adapted 
for  crushing  shells.  Some  of  the  species  will  take  the  hook, 
but  none  of  them  ranks  high  as  to  game-qualities.  In  our  waters 
are  about  20  genera  and  50  species,  only  a  few  of  which  deserve 
more  than  mere  mention. 

The  genus  Tautogolabrus  contains  2  species,  one  in  Brazil,  the 
other,  the  cunner,  T.  adspersus,  one  of  the  best  known  fishes 
on  our  North  Atlantic  Coast  from  Labrador  to  Sandy  Hook.  In 
southern  New  England  it  is  called  "  chogset."  Other  names 


476 


The  Wrasse-Fishes 


which  have  been  applied  to  it  are  cunner,  blue  perch,  bergall  and  berg- 
gylt.  It  reaches  nearly  a  foot  in  length,  and  its  flesh  is  excel- 
lent. These  fishes,  though  useful  as  scavengers,  are  a  pest  to 
fishermen  on  account  of  their  habit  of  nibbling  the  bait  from 
the  hooks. 

The  genus  Tautoga  contains  one  species,  Tautoga  onitis, 
which  is  an  abundant  and  well-known  food-fish  from  New  Bruns- 
wick to  the  Carolinas.  East  of  New  York  it  is  usually  called  the 
"tautog."  On  the  New  York  coast  it  is  the  "blackfish,"  and 
further  south  the  "oyster-fish."  Though  this  well-known  fish  is 
quite  common  in  most  parts  of  its  range,  its  centre  of  abun- 
dance seems  to  be  on  the  southern  New  England  coast.  Very 
large  catches  have  been  reported  from  Narragansett  Bay.  It  is 
particularly  abundant  about  rocky  shores,  where  it  may  often  be 
seen  quietly  resting  or  even  lying  on  its  side  in  crevices  or  cavi- 
ties. It  is  a  sluggish  fish  at  all  times,  and  very  apt  to  hibernate 
during  cold  weather. 

The  tautog  reaches  a  maximum  length  of  3  feet,  though 
those  usually  seen  are  very  much  smaller. 

As  a  food-fish  the  tautog  is  well  known  and  of  considerable 
importance,  the  catch  being  made  chiefly  with  handlines.  And 
anglers  who  visit  the  seashore  find  much  sport  angling  for  this 
fish.  *  Standing  on  a  rocky  shore,  from  which  one  may  fish  in 
5  or  6  fathoms,  with  hook  baited  with  pieces  of  crab  or  lobster, 
very  fine  sport  can  be  had. 

Head  j\  to  3$-;  depth  2f  to  3;  eye  5^-;  snou.  3;  pectoral  if; 
ventral  2;  D.  XVI,  10;  A.  Ill,  8;  scales  14-60-25.  Body  somewhat 

477 


The  Wrasse-Fishes 

deep  and  compressed;  profile  moderately  steep,  well  rounded  from 
snout  to  dorsal;  maxillary  reaching  vertical  from  anterior  nostril; 
jaws  about  equal,  with  two  or  three  large  canines  and  smaller 
ones  on  the  side,  which  gradually  diminish  in  size  backward; 
gillrakers  very  short  and  blunt,  about  3+6;  a  patch  of  small 
scales  behind  eye,  extending  downward  to  middle  of  cheek, 
where  there  are  5  or  6  series,  the  head  and  opercles  otherwise 
naked;  pectoral  broad  and  rounded,  not  quite  reaching  tips  of 
ventrals;  soft  dorsal  higher  than  spinous  portion;  caudal  truncate 
or  slightly  rounded.  Colour,  blackish  or  greenish,  the  young 
usually  with  about  3  pairs  of  dark  bars  connected  by  reticulations; 
adult  often  nearly  plain  blackish;  chin  white;  eye  greenish. 

The  genus  Lachnolaimus  is  characterized  by  the  strongly 
compressed  body,  the  sharp,  elevated  back,  and  the  long,  steep 
profile;  snout  sharp;  mouth  low,  horizontal,  the  jaws  narrow; 
teeth  in  front  prominent,  canine-like,  in  a  single  series;  no  pos- 
terior canines;  cheeks  and  opercles  with  imbricate  scales;  scales  of 
moderate  size,  thin  and  adherent;  lateral  line  complete;  dorsal 
with  14  spines,  the  first  3  strong,  falcate,  produced  in  long 
streamers  in  the  adult,  the  membranes  between  these  spines  very 
low,  the  filamentous  tips  longer  than  the  head;  other  spines  all 
low,  gradually  shorter  to  the  eleventh;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  much 
produced;  caudal  lobes  falcate;  third  anal  spine  strong;  pectoral 
and  ventrals  short. 

This  genus  contains  a  single  species,  L.  maximus,  the  hog- 
fish,  capitan,  or  perro  perro,  a  large,  showy  species  usually 
common  throughout  the  West  Indies  north  to  Key  West  and 
Bermuda.  It  is  especially  abundant  about  rocky  reefs.  It  was 
found  by  us  in  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  called  "el  capitan."  It 
reaches  a  weight  of  20  pounds,  and  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet, 
though  those  usually  seen  in  markets  are  much  smaller.  It  changes 
greatly  in  appearance  with  age.  The  large  adult  male  is  remark- 
able on  account  of  a  heavy  black  blotch  over  the  forehead  and 
eyes.  The  name  "hogfish"  refers  to  the  swine-like  appearance 
of  the  head,  jaws  and  teeth.  Like  all  other  members  of  this 
family,  it  feeds  chiefly  on  small  fishes,  mollusks  and  crustaceans. 

The  hogfish  is  an  important  food-fish  throughout  its  range, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  attractive  fishes  seen  in 
the  wells  of  the  fishing-boats  of  Key  West  and  Nassau.  It  is  a 
favourite  fish  in  Cuba,  though  at  one  time  its  sale  was  forbidden 
by  law  on  account  of  the  supposed  poisonous  character  of  its 
flesh.  This  opinion  obtains  to  some  extent  in  Porto  Rico,  but 

•     478 


The  'Wrasse-Fishes 

apparently  it  is  only  the  large  individuals  that  are  under  the  ban. 
The  genus  Pimelometopon  is  close  to  Harpe,  from  which  it 
differs  chiefly  in  the  naked  dorsal  and  smaller  scales.  It  contains 
2  species,  robust  fishes  of  large  size  and  bright  colours.  P.  pulcher 
is  (male)  purplish-black  on  head,  dorsal,  anal  and  caudal  fins,  and 
posterior  part  of  body  forward  to  vent;  lower  jaw  white;  rest  of 
body  varying  in  tint  from  clear  crimson  to  blackish,  with  coppery 


or  purplish  lustre;  female  dusky  rose-colour,  with  black  areas  ill- 
defined  or  obsolete.  This  curious  fish,  known  as  the  California 
redfish,  or  fathead,  is  very  common  on  the  California  coast  from 
Point  Conception  to  Lower  California.  It  reaches  12  to  15  pounds 
in  weight,  and  3  feet  in  length,  and  is  taken  in  large  numbers 
in  the  kelp  off  the  shore,  with  hook  and  line,  chiefly  by  Chinese, 
who  salt  and  dry  them. 


479 


THE  PARROT-FISHES 

Family   LX.     Scaridce 

BODY  oblong,  moderately  compressed,  covered  with  large  cy- 
cloid scales;  mouth  moderate,  terminal;  teeth  in  the  jaws  more 
or  less  coalescent  at  least  at  base;  lower  pharyngeals  much  en- 
larged, united  in  a  concave  or  spoon-shaped  body,  their  teeth 
broadest  transversely,  and  truncate,  arranged  in  mosaic;  dorsal 
continuous,  its  formula  usually  IX.  10;  anal  II,  9;  23  to  25  scales 
in  the  lateral  line.  Sexes  similarly  coloured,  the  colouration  almost 
always  brilliant. 

This  is  a  large  family  with  some  7  genera  and  more  than 
a  hundred  species,  often  of  large  size,  and  all  are  herbivorous 
and  inhabitants  of  warm  seas.  The  smaller  species  are  found 
among  the  algae  in  shallow  water  on  sandy  shores.  Some  of 
the  larger  ones  are  found  about  coral  reefs  and  rocks.  The  flesh 
of  these  fishes  is  soft  and  pasty  and  they  are  not  with  us  re- 
garded as  possessing  any  food-value.  In  the  West  Indies,  how- 
ever, they  are  utilized  to  some  extent,  particularly  by  the  Tor- 
tola  fishermen  who  fish  about  the  east  end  of  Porto  Rico,  where 
they  catch  several  large  species  of  this  family  in  traps. 

Among  the  natives  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands  these  fishes  are 
highly  esteemed.  Several  species  of  Scarus  occur  there,  known 
by  the  natives  as  lauia,  palukaluka,  uhuula,  etc.,  and  they  are 
eaten  raw  by  the  natives  who  pay  very  high  prices  for  them. 

The  species  of  this  family  possess  no  game-qualities  and  are 
of  so  little  food-value  in  the  United  States  that  we  shall  treat 
them  very  briefly. 

Th  genus  Sparisoma  is  a  large  one  with  about  18  species, 
all  but  one  confined  to  our  waters.  They  are  nearly  all  of  small 
size,  showy  colouration  and,  with  few  exceptions,  of  no  food- 
value.  The  only  ones  deserving  mention  here  are  the  following: 
Sparisoma  abildgaardi,  the  red  parrot-fish  or  loro  Colorado,  reaches 
a  foot  or  more  in  length.  It  is  found  among  the  West  Indies 
and  south  to  Brazil.  It  is  common  about  Porto  Rico  where  it 
is  eaten. 

S.  chrysopterum,  the  loro  verde,  cotoro  verde,  or  blue  parrot- 
fish,  is  known  from  Brazil  and  most  of  the  West  Indies,  It  is 

480 


The  Parrot- Fishes 

common  about   Porto   Rico  where  it  reaches  a  good  size  and  has 
some   value   as   a  food-fish. 

5.  lorito,  the  loro,  occurs  among  the  West  Indies  and  south- 
ward. Obtained  by  us  in  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  used  as  food. 

S.  viride,  also  known  as  the  loro  verde,  cotoro,  or  dark- 
green  parrot-fish,  is  another  West  Indian  species  ranging  north 
to  the  Bahamas  and  the  Florida  Keys.  It  is  common  about 
Porto  Rico  where  it  is  a  food-fish  of  some  value.  It  reaches  2 
feet  in  length.  While  all  of  these  species  of  "loros"  or  "co- 
toros"  are  utilized  by  the  Tortola  and  St.  Thomas  fishermen 
frequenting  the  grounds  about  the  east  end  of  Porto  Rico,  they 
are  not  so  much  used  in  Porto  Rico. 

The  genus  Scarus  is  also  a  large  one  with  many  species  in 
all  tropical  seas.  Most  of  them  are  large  fishes  of  soft  flesh, 
and  of  no  great  value. 

Scarus  vetula,  the  old-wife  or  vieja,  reaches  a  length  of  2 
feet  and  is  one  of  the  most  gorgeous  of  parrot-fishes.  It  is 
generally  common  throughout  the  West  Indies.  In  Porto  Rico  it 
is  used  as  food.  The  largest  and  most  important  species  of  the 
genus  is  the  blue  parrot-fish  or  tumble-rose  (S.  cceruleus),  which 
reaches  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  12  to  20 
pounds.  It  has  the  widest  distribution  of  any  of  our  species, 
being  found  from  Chesapeake  Bay  southward  to  Brazil.  It  is 
generally  common.  At  the  east  end  of  Porto  Rico  it  was  not 
rare,  very  large  examples  having  been  seen  by  us  at  Culebra 
Island.  Though  evidently  not  held  in*  high  esteem  it  is  doubtless 
the  most  important  of  the  parrot-fishes  occurring  in  Porto  Rican 
waters,  and  its  importance  is  due  chiefly  to  its  abundance  and 
large  size.  Its  colour  is  nearly  uniform  turquoise-blue  throughout. 

The  genus  Pseudoscarus  contains  5  species  all  distinguished 
from  species  of  other  genera  by  their  green  or  blue  teeth  or  jaws. 
The  Guacamaia,  Pseudoscarus  guacamaia,  is  the  only  important 
species.  It  is  found  from  Florida  to  Brazil,  being  common  among 
the  Florida  Keys,  at  Havana,  about  Porto  Rico,  and  nearly  every- 
where in  the  West  Indies.  It  reaches  2  or  3  feet  in  length 
and  ranks  with  the  other  large  species  as  an  inferior  food-fish. 
P.  perrico  is  a  large  species  found  on  the  Pacific  Coast  of 
Mexico.  It  and  Calotomus  xenodon  are  the  only  scaroids  known 
from  the  eastern  Pacific.  In  Hawaii  the  parrot-fishes,  being  eaten 
raw,  are  very  highly  esteemed,  and  even  once  held  as  tabu,  to 
be  touched  only  by  royalty. 

481 


THE   SPADE-FISHES 

Family  LXI.      Ilarchidcz 

BODY  compressed,  usually  greatly  elevated,  the  anterior  profile 
steep,  the  caudal  peduncle  short;  scales  ctenoid,  moderate  or  small, 
densely  covering  soft  parts  of  vertical  fins;  lateral  line  present, 
following  curve  of  back;  mouth  small,  terminal,  and  horizontal; 
premaxillaries  slightly  protractile;  maxillary  short,  without  supple- 
mental bone;  jaws  with  bands  of  slender,  pointed,  movable, 
brush-like  teeth;  nostrils  double;  preopercle  very  finely  serrate  or 
entire;  gill-membranes  broadly  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  open- 
ings restricted  to  the  sides;  branchiostegals  6  or  7;  pyloric  coeca 
few;  gillrakers  very  short;  pseudobranchiae  present;  dorsal  fins  2, 
somewhat  connected,  the  first  of  8  to  1 1  spines  which  are  de- 
pressible  in  a  groove;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  fins  high  anteriorly, 
their  bases  thickened  by  a  covering  of  scales;  anal  spines  3  or 
4,  short;  caudal  fin  truncate  or  doubly  concave;  pectoral  short,  the 
rays  all  branched;  air-bladder  large,  commonly  bifurcate  in  front, 
and  with  2  slender  horns  behind. 

This  family  contains  about  4  genera  and  10  or  12  species,  all 
shore-fishes,  mostly  of  large  size,  inhabiting  warm  seas,  and  all 
valued  as  food.  Only  2  genera  with  3  species  in  our  waters. 

The  genus  Chcetodiptejus  has  the  body  much  elevated  and 
compressed,  the  outline  nearly  orbicular,  the  anterior  profile  nearly 
vertical.  There  are  2  species,  C.  faber  and  C.  qonatus.  The  first 
of  these  is  the  common  spade-fish,  angel-fish  or  porgee. 

The  spade-fish  ranges  from  Cape  Cod  to  Rio  Janeiro.  It  is 
occasionally  taken  near  New  York,  and  a  few  have  been  caught  in 
traps  at  Menemsha  Bight,  near  Woods  Hole,  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember. It  is  not  uncommon  about  the  mouth  of  Chesapeake  Bay 
and  increases  in  abundance  southward  to  Key  West  and  Pensacola. 
Among  the  West  Indies  it  is  known  from  Cuba,  Santo  Domingo, 
Jamaica,  Martinique  and  Porto  Rico,  at  which  latter  place  it  is 
called  "Paguala"  and  is  common  everywhere  in  suitable  places, 
it  has  been  recorded  also  from  the  coasts  t.  \  Texas  and  Guatemala. 

On  the  Florida  coast  the  spade-fish  is  found  through  summer 
and  fall  in  bays,  about  wharves,  rock  piles  and  old  wrecks 
wherever  crustaceans  abound.  In  October  and  November  large 

482 


SPADE-FISH,  Chcetodiplerus  faber.     YOUNG 


BLACK  ANGEL-FISH.  Pomacanlhus  arcuatus.     YOUNG. 


The  Spade-Fishes 

schools  are  seen  along  the  sea-beaches,  evidently  leaving  the  coast 
for  warmer  water,  at  which  time  they  are  caught  with  haul  seines. 
In  that  region  they  probably  spawn  in  early  summer  and  the 
young  are  seen  until  October. 

The  spade-fish  reaches  a  length  of  2  or  3  feet  and  a  weight 
of  20  pounds,  though  examples  of  more  than  2  feet  are  not 
often  seen.  Very  large  examples  were  at  one  time  regarded  as 
belonging  to  a  different  species,  Ephippus  gigas. 

Within  the  last  30  years  the  spade-fish  has  come  to  be  one  of 
the  most  highly  prized  food-fishes,  and  it  is  now  held  in  much 
esteem  by  connoisseurs  in  Washington  and  New  York,  and  in 
the  markets  of  most  eastern  cities  when  it  is  most  abundant 
during  the  summer  months. 

Large  examples  of  this  species  are  remarkable  in  having  the 
anterior  interhaemal  enormously  developed  into  a  thick  bony  mass. 

Colour,  grayish  or  bluish;  a  dusky  band  across  eye  to  throat; 
a  second,  similar  but  broader  band,  beginning  in  front  of  dorsal 
and  extending  across  base  of  pectoral  to  belly;  a  third,  narrower 
band  extending  to  middle  of  side  from  base  of  fourth  and  fifth 
dorsal  spines;  a  fourth,  and  broader  band,  from  last  dorsal  spine 
to  base  of  anal  spines;  all  these  bands  growing  obscure  and 
finally  disappearing  with  age;  ventrals  dark. 


4*3 


THE    BUTTERFLY-FISHES 

Family  LXII.      Ch&todontida 

BODY  strongly  compressed,  elevated,  orbicular,  covered  with 
moderate-sized  or  small  scales,  which  are  finely  ciliate  cr  nearly 
smooth;  lateral  line  present,  concurrent  with  the  back,  not  extend- 
ing on  caudal  fin;  mouth  small,  terminal,  protractile;  maxillary 
very  short,  irregular  in  form,  divided  in  two  by  a  longitudinal 
suture. 

Carnivorous  fishes  of  the  tropical  seas,  noted  for  their  sin- 
gular form,  bright  colours  and  great  activity.  There  are  8  or 
10  genera  and  nearly  200  species.  They  are  exceedingly  active 
and  their  quickness  of  sense  and  motion  enable  them  to  maintain 
themselves  in  the  struggle  for  existence  in  the  close  competition 
that  exists  among  the  species  about  coral  reefs  notwithstanding 
their  bright  colours.  In  our  waters  are  found  about  20  species, 
only  a  few  of  which  are  large  enough  to  be  ranked  as  food- 
fishes.  On  account  of  their  shape,  as  well  as  their  brilliant 
colours,  most  of  the  species  are  known  as  butterfly-fishes,  or 
mariposas  where  Spanish  is  spoken. 

The  genus  Pomacanthus  contains  3  species,  each  of  some 
importance  as  a  food-fish.  P.  arcuatus,  the  black  angel,  is  gener- 
ally common  in  the  West  Indies  and  is  occasionally  taken  as 
far  north  as  New  Jersey,  and  south  to  Bahia.  It  is  not  rare  at 
Key  West  and  was  found  by  us  in  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico.  It 
attains  a  length  of  nearly  2  feet  and  a  weight  of  several  pounds. 
Those  seen  at  Key  West  do  not  usually  exceed  2  or  3  pounds. 
It  is  present  there  throughout  the  year  and  is  caught  chiefly  in 
traps,  though  it  is  sometimes  speared. 

P.  paru,  the  Indian  fish,  is  found  among  the  West  Indies 
and  southward,  but  has  not  yet  been  recorded  from  the  United 
States.  P.  qonipectus  is  the  west  coast  representative  of  the  genus. 
It  is  rather  common  about  rocks  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama. 

The  genus  Holacanthus  has  numerous  species,  two  of  which 
are  of  considerable  food-importance.  The  most  important  species 
is  the  rock  beauty  or  palmoneta,  H.  tricolor.  It  is  a  most 
beautiful  and  interesting  fish,  rather  common  throughout  the  West 

484 


',  JPCj  «U 


BLACK  ANGEL-FISH,  Powacanihus  arcuatus 


YELLOW  OR  BLUE  ANGEL-FISH.  IJolacanthus  ciliaris.     ADULT 


The  Butterfly- Fishes 

Indies  and  north  to  the  Bermudas,  but  it  has  not  been  found  in 
the  United  States.  Elegant  specimens  were  obtained  by  us  at 
Arroyo  and  Isabel  Segunda,  Porto  Rico,  where  it  is  not  rare. 
It  reaches  a  foot  or  more  in  length  and  is  used  as  food. 

Colour  in  life,  caudal,  pectoral  and  ventral  fins  and  anterior 
third  of  body  rich  orange-yellow;  rest  of  body  black;  lips  pale 
blue;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  fins  black,  tipped  with  orange  and 
bordered  in  front  by  red;  spinous  part  of  dorsal  orange  in  front, 
then  black,  the  border  red. 

Holacanthus  ciliaris  is  the  blue  angel-fish  and  is  found 
throughout  the  West  Indies  and  north  to  Key  West  where  it  is 
called  the  "yellow  angel,"  which  is  justified  by  the  broad  yellow 
margins  of  the  scales.  It  reaches  a  foot  to  18  inches  in  length 
and  is  a  very  beautiful  fish.  It  is  a  fair  food-fish,  usually  taken 
in  traps,  though  it  sometimes  takes  the  baited  hook.- 


485 


THE  TANGS 

Family  LXIII.     Teuthidida 

BODY  oblong,  compressed  and  usually  elevated,  covered  with 
very  small  scales;  lateral  line  continuous;  tail  armed  with  i  or 
more  spines  or  bony  plates;  eye  high  up;  preorbital  very  narrow 
and  deep;  nostrils  double;  mouth  small  and  low,  each  jaw  with 
a  single  series  of  narrow  incisor-like  teeth;  vomer  and  palatines 
toothless;  premaxillaries  slightly  movable,  but  not  protractile;  no 
gillrakers;  pseudobranchiae  large;  gill-membranes  attached  to  the 
isthmus,  the  openings  restricted  to  the  sides;  i  dorsal  fin,  with 
strong  spines,  the  spinous  part  of  the  fin  shorter  than  the  soft 
part;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal. 

Herbivo'rous  fishes  of  warm  seas,  usually  easily  known  by 
the  lancet-like  spine  on  side  of  caudal  peduncle.  There  are 
about  5  genera  and  80  species,  most  of  the  latter  belonging  to  the 
genus  Teuthis.  Only  a  few  of  the  species  are  of  any  food- 
value.  There  are  in  our  waters  2  genera  with  about  6  species, 
only  a  few  of  which  are  of  any  value  for  food. 

The  American  species  of  Teuthis  may  be  distinguished  as 
follows: 

a.  Outline    rhomboid,    the    depth     \\    in    length;    colour    brown 

washed   with   blue; cceruleus,    486 

aa.    Outline   ovate,    the  depth    about  2   in   length;    colour    brown, 
never  blue. 

b.  Caudal  simply   lunate; hepatus,    487 

bb.   Caudal   deeply   emarginate. 

c.  Upper  lobe  of  caudal   not  filamentous; crestonis,   487 

cc.    Upper  lobe   of  caudal   produced  in   a  long  filament; 

bahianus,   487 

The  species  of  Teuthis  are  known  variously  as  surgeon-fish, 
doctor-fish,  lancet-fish,  barbers  and  tangs;  and  among  Spanish 
fishermen  as  Barberos  and  M6dicos — all  of  the  same  origin  and 
meaning  the  same  thing;  for  the  barbers  were  the  first  "m&- 
dicos"  who  combined  the  practice  of  phlebotomy  with  their 
regular  vocation. 

T.  cceruleus  is  one  of  our  best  known  species,  as  it  is 
quite  common  from  Key  West  to  Bahia.  It  is  the  blue  tang 

486 


The  Tangs 

and  is  common  about  Porto  Rico  where  it  is  used  as  food.  It 
reaches  8  or  10  inches  in  length  and  is  usually  found  among 
algae  in  shallow  water,  though  the  larger  individuals  are  found 
at  greater  depths. 


T.  crestonis,  the  barbero  negro,  is  known  only  from  Mazatlan 
where 

"  Beyond  the   headland  with   its   palm  tree  lone 
Flashes  the  beacon   light  of  tall   Creston; 
The  last  and  haughtiest  of  the   craggy   horde, 
Sierra  Madre  sends  forth  ocean  ward." 

T.  hepatus  is  the  common  tang  and  our  most  abundant 
species.  It  is  found  from  the  Carolinas  and  southern  Florida  to 
Brazil.  We  found  it  everywhere  about  Porto  Rico  where  it  is 
a  food-fish  of  considerable  importance.  It  reaches  a  foot  in  length. 

The  most  important  of  all  our  tangs,  however,  is  the  ocean 
tang,  T.  bahianus.  Though  not  so  abundant  as  the  common 
tang,  it  is,  on  account  of  its  larger  size,  of  greater  commercial 
value.  It  is  found  throughout  the  West  Indies  and  on  neigh- 

487 


The  Tangs 

bouring  coasts  from   Florida  to  Brazil.      At  the   east   end   of  Porto 
Rico  the   ocean  tang    is   caught    in    considerable   numbers   by  the 


The  Ocean  Tang,   Teuthis  bahianus 

fishermen  from  Tortola,  St.  Croix,  and  St.  Thomas.  It  is  usu- 
ally taken  in  the  native  trap-baskets  which  are  baited  with  large 
chunks  of  the  white  pulp  of  cactus  plants  and  set  in  4  to  10 
fathoms  of  water.  Sometimes  the  fish  are  "grained"  or  speared, 
and  occasionally  they  are  caught  with  hook  and  line.  These  fish 
are  corned  and  taken  to  Santa  Cruz  where  they  bring  about 
$5  a  barrel. 


488 


THE  TRUNK-FISHES 

Family   LXIV.      Ostraciidce 

THESE  fishes  may  at  once  be  known  by  the  short,  cuboid, 
triquetous  or  pentagonal  body,  covered  by  a  carapace  formed  of 
firmly  united  polygonal  bony  patches,  the  jaws,  bases  of  the 
fins,  and  the  caudal  peduncle  being  the  only  parts  free  and 
covered  with  smooth  skin. 

The  locomotion  of  the  trunk-fishes  is  very  peculiar.  The  pro- 
pelling force  is  exerted  by  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  which  have 
a  half-rotary,  half-sculling  motion,  resembling  that  of  a  screw 
propeller;  the  caudal  fin  acts  as  a  rudder,  save  when  it  is  needed 
for  unusually  rapid  swimming,  when  it  is  used  as  in  other  fishes. 
The  chief  function  of  the  broad  pectorals  seems  to  be  that  of 
forming  a  current  of  water  through  the  gills,  thus  aiding  in 
respiration,  which  would  otherwise  be  diificult  on  account  of  the 
narrowness  and  inflexibility  of  the  branchial  apertures.  When 
taken  from  the  water  one  of  these  fishes  will  live  for  2  or  j 
hours,  all  the  time  solemnly  fanning  its  gills,  and  when  restored 
to  its  native  element  seems  none  the  worse  for  its  experience, 
except  that,  on  account  of  the  absorbed  air,  it  cannot  at  once 
sink  to  the  bottom  (Goode). 

The  family  contains  one  genus,  Ostracion,  with  4  American 
species  which  may  be  distinguished  as  follows: 

a.  Carapace   without   spines   anywhere; triqueter,  490 

aa.    Carapace   with   distinct  spines,  at   least  on  the  ventral  ridges 

behind. 

b.  Frontal  spines    none. 

c.  Carapace   closed   behind  the   dorsal  fin;    body  everywhere  with 

round  dark  spots ; bicaudalis,  490 

cc.  Carapace  open  behind  the  dorsal  fin;  body  mottled  with 

paler; trigonut  490 

bb.  Frontal  region  with  2  strong  snines  like  horns \..tricornist  490 

These  fish  are  all  sluggish  in  their  habits,  living  in  shallow 
water  at  the  bottom  about  reefs  and  feeding  upon  minute  animal 

489 


The  Trunk-Fishes 

and   plant   forms.     All  4  of  the   species   occur   among    the  West 
Indies.    They  are  known  variously  as  trunk-fish,  chapin,  rock  shell- 


Chapin,  Ostracion  triqueter 


fish,  plate-fish,  cow-fish,  and  the  like.  O.  triqueter  is  found  north 
to  Pensacola,  Key  West  and  Bermuda,  and  is  generally  abundant. 
O.  bicaudalis  is  a  large  species,  reaching  16  inches  in  length,  and  is 
common  among  the  West  Indies,  but  has  not  yet  been  recorded 
from  Florida.  O.  trigonus  is  the  common  trunk-fish,  very  abundant 


Common  IPrunk-fish,  Ostracion  trigonus 

among  the  West  Indies,  and  extending  its  range  to  Woods  Hole  and 
Chesapeake  Bay.  O.  tricornis  is  the  common  cowfish.  Its  range 
extends  from  Brazil  to  Charleston,  Pensacola,  the  Chesapeake  and, 
in  the  Gulf  Stream,  to  Woods  Hole.  It  is  even  found  also  on 

490 


The  Trunk-Fishes 


Cow-fish,  Ostracion  tricornis 

the  African  Coast.     Though  these  fishes  are  rarely  seen  in  the  mar- 
kets they  are  all  excellent  food-fishes,  the    flesh    being  delicate  and 


Common  Trunk-fish,  Ostracion  trigonus 

possessing  an  unusually  pleasant  flavour.  A  common  method  of 
preparing  these  fish  is  first  to  boil  them  in  salt  water,  then  clean 
out  the  meat  and,  after  mixing  it  with  cracker  crumbs,  egg,  butter, 
and  pepper  (red  preferred),  replace  it  in  the  shell  and  bake  until 
nicely  browned. 


THE   HEAD-FISHES 

Family  LXV.     Molidce 

BODY  short  and  deep,  or  oblong,  compressed,  truncate  behind, 
so  that  there  is  no  caudal  peduncle;  skin  rough,  naked,  spinous 
or  tessellated;  mouth  very  small,  terminal;  teeth  completely  united 
in  each  jaw,  forming  a  bony  beak  without  median  suture;  dorsal 
and  anal  fins  similar,  falcate  in  front,  the  posterior  parts  more  or  less 
confluent  with  the  caudal  fin;  no  spinous  dorsal;  no  ventrals, 
pelvic  bones  undeveloped;  pectoral  fins  present;  belly  not  inflat- 
able; gill-openings  small,  in  front  of  the  pectorals;  an  accessory 
opercular  gill;  no  air-bladder. 

Fishes  of  the  open  seas,  seeming  to  be  composed  of  a  big 
head  to  which  small  fins  are  attached.  There  are  3  genera  and 
about  6  species,  all  pelagic,  found  in  most  warm  seas,  and 
reaching  a  very  large  size.  Two  genera  with  i  species  each  found 
in  our  limits. 

a.  Body  suborbicular,  not  twice  as  long  as  deep;  skin  thick,  rough, 
gristly,  without  hexagonal  plates ; Mola,  492 

aa.  Body  oblong,  about  twice  as  long  as  deep;  skin  smooth,  tessel- 
lated, with  smooth  hexagonal  plates ; Ran^ania,  494 

The  genus  Mola  contains  a  single  species,  Mola  mola,  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  among  fishes,  known  as  sunfish,  headfish,  mola,  and 
pez  luna,  and  found  in  most  warm  seas.  It  ranges  as  far  north  as 
England,  Cape  Cod  and  San  Francisco.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  of 
all  fishes  reaching  a  weight  of  nearly  a  ton.  The  largest  example 
on  record  was  taken  at  Redondo  Beach,  California,  in  June,  1893, 
and  was  mounted  by  Mr.  T.  Shooter  of  Los  Angeles.  It  was  8 
feet  2  inches  long  and  weighed  1800  pounds, 

The  sunfish  are  not  rare  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  where  they  may 
be  seen  on  almost  any  calm  summer  day.  They  float  lazily  with 
one  of  the  bright  sides  just  at  the  surface,  the  waves  rippling  and 
breaking  over  them,  and  the  heavy  pectoral  fin  moving  slowly  to 
and  fro  through  the  air;  thus  lying  they  are  very  conspicuous 
objects  and  may  be  seen  long  distances.  They  spend  whole  days 

492 


The  Head-Fishes 


in    this   position,  and   may  be    easily   approached    and    harpooned. 
From  this  habit  of  sunning  itself  it  has  received  its  vernacular  name. 


As  a  food-fish  it  possesses  little   value,  but  oil  is  sometimes  made 
from  their  livers. 


493 


The  Head-Fishes 


The  genus  Ran^ania  contains  2  or  more  species,  one  of  which, 
R.  truncata,  is  found  occasionally  off  our  Atlantic  Coast.    It  reaches 


only  about  2  feet  in  length.  A  similar  species,  R.  makua,  has 
recently  been  described  from  the  Hawaiian  Islands  by  Dr.  Jenkins. 
It  occurs  also  in  Japan. 


494 


THE    ROCKFISHES 

Family  LXVL     Scorpcsnidce 

BODY  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed,  the  head  large,  and 
with  one  or  more  pairs  of  ridges  above,  which  usually  termi- 
nate in  spines;  opercle  usually  with  2  spinous  processes,  preopercle 
with  4  or  5;  mouth  terminal,  usually  large,  with  villiform  teeth 
on  jaws  and  vomer;  premaxillaries  protractile;  maxillary  broad, 
without  supplemental  bone;  gill-openings  wide,  extending  forward 
below;  gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  scales 
ctenoid  or  sometimes  cycloid;  lateral  line  continuous,  concurrent 
with  the  back;  a  narrow  bony  stay  extending  backward  from 
the  suborbital  toward  the  preopercle;  dorsal  fin  continuous,  some- 
times very  deeply  notched;  pseudobranchise  large;  air-bladder 
usually  present. 

This  is  a  very  large  family,  with  about  30  genera  and  250 
species,  inhabiting  all  seas,  especially  abundant  in  the  temperate 
parts  of  the  Pacific,  where  they  form  a  large  proportion  of  the 
fish-fauna.  The  species  are  of  large  or  moderate  size,  and  all 
are  non-migratory,  living  about  rocks  or  among  the  algae.  Many 
of  the  species  are  of  food-value,  though  some  are  reputed  poison- 
ous. Many  of  them  are  viviparous,  the  young  being  produced 
when  about  \  inch  long. 

The  family  is  most  numerously  represented  on  our  California 
coast.  In  our  waters  are  8  genera  with  about  85  species,  only  a 
small  proportion,  however,  are  of  much,  if  any,  food-value.  None 
Of  them  is  regarded  as  a  game-fish.  We  treat  the  family  only 
briefly. 

a.  Dorsal  spines  more  than  12. 

b.  Dorsal  spines  15  or  16;  vertebrae  about  12+19; Sebastes,  495 

bb.   Dorsal   spines    13  or    14; Sebastodes,   496 

The  only  important  species  of  the  family  on  our  Atlantic 
Coast  is  Sebastes  marinus,  known  as  the  rose-fish,  redfish,  snap- 
per, red  perch,  Norway  haddock,  hemdurgan,  bream  or  John  Dory. 

It  is  a  fish  of  wide  distribution  and  is  found  in  northern 
Europe  and  from  Iceland  to  middle  New  Jersey.  It  is  most 

-4Q5 


The  Rockfishes 


abundant   northward,    where  it  is  a  shallow  water  species;  south- 
ward  it  is  found  only  in  deeper  water,   and  is  less   common.     Its 


temperature  range  conforms  pretty  closely  with  that  oi  the 
halibut. 

The  rosefish  reaches  2  feet  in  length,  though  the  average  is 
much  less.  Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  crustaceans,  small  fish, 
and  mollusks  to  some  extent,  and  in  turn,  the  young  of  this 
species  constitute  an  important  part  of  the  food  of  the  cod,  and 
they  are  at  all  ages  preyed  upon  by  halibut  and  other  large 
predaceous  fishes  of  cold  regions. 

The  rosefish  ranks  well  as  a  food-fish,  and  considerable 
quantities  of  them  are  taken  on  the  New  England  coast.  The 
most  extensive  fisheries  are  on  the  Greenland  coast,  where  the 
flesh  is  highly  esteemed,  and  the  spines  are  used  as  needles. 
They  may  be  caught  on  hand  or  trawl-lines,  with  almost  any 
kind  of  bait.  They  breed  in  summer  in  deep  holes  in  Massa  - 
chusetts  Bay,  and  elsewhere  along  the  New  England  coast. 

This  fish  may  be  known  by  its  nearly  uniform  orange-red 
colour,  and  its  spiny  head. 

The  genus  Sebastodes  is  the  largest  in  the  family,  containing 
as  it  does  not  fewer  than  56  species,  all  occurring  on  our  Pacific 
Coast  from  Alaska  to  Lower  California.  They  are  all  usually 
known  as  rockfish,  and  several  are  of  considerable  value  as  food- 
fishes.  They  are  all  closely  related,  and  only  a  few  of  the 

496 


The  Rockfishes 

more  important  species  will  be  mentioned  here.  Sebastodes  pau- 
cispinis,  the  bocaccio,  large  and  swift,  is  abundant  in  California. 
Sebastodes  flavidus,  the  yellowtail  rockfish,  reaching  a  length  of 
2  feet,  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  species.  It  is  abundant  from 
San  Francisco  to  San  Diego. 

5.  mystinus,   the  black  rockfish,    is   the  most  abundant  species 


in  rather  shallow  water  about  San  Francisco.  Another  abundant 
species  is  the  orange  rockfish,  5.  pinniger,  found  from  Puget 
Sound  to  San  Diego.  It  reaches  2  feet  in  length  and  is  a  com- 
mon market-fish;  and  the  rasher,  S.  miniatus,  is  another 
important  species  reaching  a  length  of  2  feet  and  abun- 
dant from  San  Francisco  to  San  Diego.  The  red  rockfish, 
5.  ruberrimus,  is  the  largest  species  of  all,  reaching  a  length  of 
2^-  feet.  It  is  abundant  from  San  Diego  to  Puget  Sound,  and  is 
a  valued  food-fish.  Another  important  species  is  the  yellow-backed 
rockfish,  5.  maliger,  which  is  found  from  Monterey  to  Sitka.  I* 
is  especially  abundant  northward,  and  reaches  nearly  2  feet  in 
length.  The  Spanish  flag,  Sebastodes  rubrovinctus,  banded  red  and 
white,  is  perhaps  the  handsomest  sea-fish  in  our  waters.  Full 
descriptions  of  all  the  species  of  this  genus,  50  in  number,  may  be 
found  in  our  "Fishes  of  North  and  Middle  America." 


497 


THE    SKIL-FISHES 

Family   LXVII.     Anoplopomidce 

THIS  family  is  closely  allied  to  Hexagrammidce,  from  which 
it  differs  chiefly  in  the  normal  development  of  the  nostrils 
which  are  formed  as  in  fishes  generally.  There  are  2  genera, 
Anoplopoma  and  Erilepis,  only  the  first  of  which  is  of  any  im- 
portance. Its  single  species  is  A.  fimbria,  a  very  interesting  fish 
occurring  on  our  Pacific  Coast  from  Monterey  Bay  to  Unalaska. 


It  is  the  beshow,  coal-fish,  or  skil  of  that  coast,  reaches  a 
length  of  1 8  inches,  and  is  used  to  some  extent  as  food,  though 
the  flesh  is  rather  dry  and  tasteless.  About  the  Straits  of  Fuca 
it  becomes  very  fat  and  is  said  to  be  highly  appreciated. 


498 


THE  GREENL1NGS 

Family  LXVIII.     Hexagrammida 

BODY  elongate,  covered  with  small  ctenoid  or  cycloid  scales; 
head  conical,  scaly,  the  cranium  without  spinous  ridges  above; 
preopercle  more  or  less  armed,  sometimes  with  entire  edges; 
third  suborbital  developed  as  a  bony  stay  articulating  with  the 
preopercle;  mouth  large,  with  acute  teeth  in  jaws,  and  usually 
on  vomer  and  palatines;  nostril  single  on  each  side,  the  posterior 
opening  reduced  to  a  minute  pore;  pseudobranchiae  well  developed; 
dorsal  fin  continuous  or  divided,  the  anterior  half  of  many  slender 
spines;  anal  fin  long,  with  or  without  spines;  lateral  line  present, 
sometimes  several  series  of  pores  developed. 

Carnivorous  fishes,  mostly  of  large  size,  living  in  kelp  and 
about  rocks  in  the  North  Pacific;  some  of  them  highly  valued 
as  food. 

Of  the  5  genera  found  in  American  waters,  only  3  contain 
food-fishes  of  any  importance. 


The  most  interesting  species  of  the  family  is  the  Atka  mack- 
erel, or  Atka-fish,  Pleurogrammus  monopterygius. 

This  interesting  fish  is  the  most  important  species  of  the 
family.  It  occurs  in  the  North  Pacific,  chiefly  among  the  Aleu- 
tian Islands.  It  is  not  common  about  Unalaska  or  the  Pribilofs, 
but  about  Atka  and  Attu  it  is  abundant.  It  is  somewhat  erratic 

499 


Atka  Mackerel 

in  its  movements,  and  its  most  eastern  record  is  Belkofski.  It 
is  usually  found  in  kelp  in  3  to  40  fathoms  in  spring  and  early 
summer,  retiring  to  deeper  water  later. 

Of  all  the  saltwater  fishes  found  about  the  Aleutian  Islands 
the  Atka  mackerel  is  the  most  interesting  to  the  angler.  It  takes 
the  hook  readily  and  makes  a  good  fight.  The  usual  method  of 
taking  it  is  by  "jigging."  On  May  28,  1892,  we  had  excellent 
sport  catching  these  fish  near  the  mouth  of  the  bay  at  Attu, 
the  most  westerly  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  We  used  3  hooks 
tied  together  in  a  bunch,  just  above  which  was  tied  a  piece  of 
white  muslin.  The  line  was  weighted  so  that  the  hooks  would 
descend  quickly.  When  they  had  reached  the  bottom,  or  near  it, 
they  would  be  jerked  up  and  down  and  the  fish,  striking  at  the 
muslin,  would  be  hooked  or  would  catch  the  hooks  in  their 
mouths.  The  lines  would  be  let  down  through  the  kelp  in  15 
to  25  feet  of  water.  The  fish  were  in  schools  and  it  was  easy 
to  get  great  numbers;  in  fact,  one  would  be  kept  very  busy 
hauling  in  the  fish  and  taking  them  off  the  hook.  Usually  the 
fish  were  near  the  bottom  when  we  began  fishing  but  they  soon 
became  excited  and  would  come  near  the  surface  where  they 
could  be  seen  swimming  about  as  if  greatly  disturbed  and 
evidently  searching  for  the  piece  of  white  muslin  which  had 
attracted  their  attention.  When  first  hooked  they  would  come 
up  very  readily,  in  fact  they  seemed  to  swim  upward  until  near 
the  surface  when  they  would  become  alarmed  and  dart  back  and 
forth  in  their  efforts  to  free  themselves.  Then  the  sport  was  very 
exciting.  During  4  hours'  fishing  9  persons  with  26  lines  took 
585  fish,  or  17  fish  to  each  line  per  hour.  And  as  our  ship 
was  out  of  fresh  meat  of  every  kind,  all  these  fish  were  soon 
eaten  by  the  officers  and  crew. 

The  average  weight  of  this  catch  was  about  2\  pounds,  the 
maximum  being  3^-  pounds.  The  average  length  was  about  18 
inches. 

The  Atka  mackerel  is  one  of  the  most  handsome  fishes 
found  among  the  Aleutian  Islands.  There  are  2  patterns  of 
colouration.  In  one  the  ground-colour  is  pale  yellowish,  the  side 
crossed  by  5  nearly  jet-black  crossbars  all  continued  upon  the 
dorsal  fin;  anal  fin  black.  In  the  other  the  ground-colour  is  pale 
chrome-yellow,  the  vertical  base  not  so  dark.  Some  individuals 
are  dirty  gray  and  the  bars  are  not  well  defined. 

500 


The  Greenlings 

The  Atka  mackerel,  which  is  of  course  no  mackerel  at  all, 
is  an  excellent  food-fish,  especially  fine  when  salted.  There 
seems  to  be  no  good  reason  why  it  may  not  become  the  object 
of  an  important  fishery. 

The  genus  Hexagrammos,  which  contains  the  true  greenlings 
or  rock  trouts,  differs  from  Pleurogrammus  chiefly  in  having  the 
dorsal  fin  deeply  notched  or  divided.  The  species  may  be  known 
by  the  presence  of  5  lateral  lines  on  each  side.  All  the  species 
attain  a  considerable  size  and  all  are  of  value  as  food.  They 
inhabit  the  North  Pacific  on  both  coasts,  extending  on  the  Ameri- 
can side  south  to  California. 

Hexagrammos  decagrammus  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  species. 
It  is  known  as  the  rock  trout,  boregat,  or  bodeiron.  It  reaches 


a   length   of   18  inches   and   is   found  from   Kadiak  Island  to  Point 
Conception.      It   is   particularly  abundant  about  San   Francisco,  and 
is   a   common   food-fish.     The   sexes   are   very   unlike   in   colour. 
H.    octogrammus,    the    Alaska    green-fish,    occurs    among    the 


The   Greenlings 

Aleutian    Islands  and    westward    to    Kamchatka.      It    is    abundant 
about   Unalaska,    and   is   a  good   food-fish. 

H,   stelleri,   the   common   greenling,    ranges    from     Kamchatka 
to    San    Francisco.      It  is   abundant   about    Victoria    and   in   Puget 


Sound,    where   it  is   caught   in   considerable   numbers. 

H.    superciliosus,    the     red    rock-trout,    occurs     from    Bering 


Island   to   Monterey   Bay.     It   is   most   common   southward. 

The  remaining  species  is  H.  lagocephalus,  known  only  from 
Bering  Sea. 

The  genus  Ophidian,  which  may  be  distinguished  from  the 
2  preceding  genera  by  its  single  lateral  line,  contains  but  one 
species.  This  is  O.  elongatus,  known  as  the  cultus  cod,  blue 
cod,  or  buffalo  cod.  The  cultus  cod  is  a  large,  coarse  fish,  the 


502 


The  Greenlings 


largest  of  the  family,  reaching  a  length  of  3  to  4  feet  and  a 
weight  of  30  or  40  pounds.  It  is  found  from  Sitka  to  Santa 
Barbara  and  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  most  important 
food-fishes  of  our  Pacific  Coast.  Though  the  flesh  is  livid  blue 
or  green  in  colour  it  is  not  unwholesome. 


THE   TILEFISHES 

Family  LXIX.     Latilidce 

BODY  more  or  less  elongate,  fusiform  or  compressed;  head 
subconical,  the  anterior  profile  usually  convex;  suborbital  without 
bony  stay;  cranial  bones  not  cavernous;  opercular  bones  mostly 
unarmed;  mouth  rather  terminal,  little  oblique;  teeth  rather  strong, 
none  on  vomer  or  palatines;  premaxillaries  protractile,  each  usu- 
ally with  a  blunt,  posterior  canine;  maxillary  without  supple- 
mental bone;  pseudobranchise  well  developed;  gill-membranes 
separate,  more  or  less  free  from  the  isthmus;  scales  small, 
ctenoid;  lateral  line  present,  complete,  more  or  less  concurrent 
with  the  back;  dorsal  fin  long  and  low,  usually  continuous,  the 
spinous  portion  always  lower  than  soft  part,  but  never  obsolete; 
anal  very  long,  its  spines  few  and  feeble;  caudal  fin  forked. 

Fishes  of  temperate  and  tropical  waters,  some  reaching  a  large 
size.  The  2  genera  are  Caulolatilus  and  Lopholatilus,  the  former 
with  22  to  27  rays  in  the  dorsal  and  anal,  the  latter  with  only  13 
to  15. 

Caulolatilus  contains  3  species,  the  blanquillos,  2  of  which 
occur  among  the  West  Indies,  the  other  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 
None  is  of  sufficient  abundance  to  be  of  much  food-value. 

The  genus  Lopholatilus  contains  but  i  species,  L.  chamx- 
leonticeps,  the  famous  tilefish  whose  discovery  only  a  few  years 
ago  and  sudden,  almost  total  disappearance  a  few  months  later, 
has  interested  commercial  fishermen  and  scientists  as  well. 

The  story  of  the  tilefish  is  a  fascinating  one.  In  May,  1879, 
Capt.  Kirby,  of  the  schooner  Wm.  V.  Hutchings,  while  trawl- 
ing for  cod  to  the  southward  of  Nantucket,  took  5,000  pounds 
of  a  fish  not  only  new  to  him,  but  new  to  science.  The  greater 
part  of  the  fish  taken  on  the  first  haul  of  the  trawls  were  thrown 
away,  but  as  the  samples  that  had  been  tried  proved  excellent 
eating,  those  subsequently  taken  were  salted  down,  and  when 
taken  to  Gloucester  a  portion  was  smoked.  In  July,  more  tile- 
fish  were  taken,  this  time  on  hand-lines.  In  1880  and  1881, 
while  engaged  in  exploring  the  sea-bottom  off  the  southern  coast 
of  New  England,  the  United  States  Fish  Commission  steamer 


The  Tilefish 

Fish  Hawk  took  tilefish  in  several  places  at  depths  of  70  to  134 
fathoms.  The  indications  of  the  apparent  abundance  of  a  new 
and  edible  fish  of  large  size  made  Professor  Baird  desirous  of 
obtaining  fuller  knowledge  of  its  habitat  and  habits,  in  the  hope 
that  an  important  new  fishery  might  be  developed.  Various 
causes  conspired  to  delay  the  investigations  which  he  planned 
until  1882.  In  March  and  April  of  that  year  vessels  arriving  at 
Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Boston  reported  having  passed  large 
numbers  of  dead  or  dying  fish  scattered  over  an  area  of  many 
square  miles,  and  from  descriptions  and  specimens  brought  in  it 
was  evident  that  the  great  majority  of  these  fish  were  the  tilefish. 
Naturally  these  fish  were  not  evenly  distributed  over  the  area  in 
which  they  were  found,  some  observers  reporting  them  as  scatter- 
ing, and  others  as  at  times  so  numerous  that  there  would  be  as 
many  as  50  on  the  space  of  a  square  rod.  As  one  account  after 
another  came  in,  it  became  evident  that  a  vast  destruction  of  fish 
had  taken  place,  for  vessels  reported  having  sailed  40,  50,  and  60 
miles  through  floating  fish;  and  in  one  case  the  schooner  Navarino 
ploughed  for  no  less  than  150  miles  through  waters  dotted  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  reach  with  dying  fish.  Capt.  J.  W.  Collins  esti- 
mated that  an  area  of  5,000  to  7,500  square  miles  was  so  thickly 
strewn  with  dead  or  dying  fish  that  their  numbers  must  have  ex- 
ceeded the  enormous  number  of  1,000,000,000.  As  there  were  no 
signs  of  any  disease,  and  no  parasites  found  on  the  fish  brought  in 
for  examination,  their  death  could  not  have  been  due  to  either  of 
these  causes;  and  many  conjectures  were  made  as  to  the  cause 
of  this  wholesale  destruction  of  deep-water  fishes,  such  as  ordi- 
narily are  unaffected  by  surface  conditions.  Submarine  volcanoes, 
heat,  cold,  and  poisonous  gases  were  among  the  agencies  sug- 
gested. Professor  Verrill  has  noted  the  occurrence  of  a  strip  of 
water,  having  a  temperature  of  48°  to  50°,  lying  on  the  border  of 
the  Gulf  Stream  slope,  between  the  Arctic  current  on  the  one  hand 
and  cold  depths  of  the  sea  on  the  other. 

In  1880  and  1881  Professor  Verrill  dredged  along  the  Gulf 
Stream  slope,  obtaining  in  this  warm  belt,  as  he  terms  it,  many 
species  of  invertebrates  characteristic  of  more  southern  localities. 
In  1882  the  same  species  were  scarce  or  wholly  absent  from 
places  where  they  had  previously  been  abundant;  and  this,  taken 
in  connection  with  the  occurrence  of  heavy  northerly  gales  and 
the  presence  of  much  inshore  ice  at  the  north,  leaves  little  doubt 

5°5 


The  Tilefish 

but  that  some  unusual  lowering  of  temperature  in  the  warm 
belt  brought  immediate  death  to  many  of  its  inhabitants.  This 
is  the  more  probable  since  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  sudden 
increase  of  cold  will  bring  many  fishes  to  the  surface  in  a  be- 
numbed or  dying  condition,  and  there  was  no  evidence  of  any 
shock  or  earthquake  having  occurred  at  that  time. 

For  several  years  following  no  tilefish  could  be  found  and 
it  was  feared  the  species  had  become  extinct.  Although  frequent 
search  was  made  for  them  it  was  not  until  1892  that  they  were 
found  again.  In  that  year  the  Grampus  took  8  fish  and  in  the 
following  year  53  others  were  obtained.  Thirty  more  were  caught 
in  1897,  and  in  1898,  when  more  careful  tests  were  made,  the 
United  States  Fish  Commission  caught  342  fish.  And  every  year 
since  1898  large  experimental  catches  have  been  made  by  the 
Commission  and  there  is  now  no  question  but  that  the  tilefish 
has  thoroughly  re-established  itself,  and  it  is  hoped  and  believed 
that  it  may  soon  become  the  object  of  an  important  fishery.  The 
tilefish  grounds  are  at  the  edge  of  the  Gulf  Stream  in  about  lat.  40° 
N.  and  long.  71°  W.  and  in  70  to  80  fathoms. 

The  tilefish  reaches  a  length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  30  pounds, 
and  is  a  superior  food-fish  in  every  respect.  Everyone  who  has 
eaten  it  praises  it  very  highly.  Mr.  Willard  Nye,  an  expert  in  such 
matters,  pronounces  it  superior  to  any  other  fish  except  the  pom- 
pano  fresh  from  the  water.  It  is  best  when  boiled  or  baked. 


506 


THE    HAKES 

Family  LXX.     Merlucciida 

BODY  moderately  elongate,  covered  with  small,  smooth,  de- 
ciduous scales;  head  elongate,  depressed  and  pike-like;  mouth  ter- 
minal, with  strong  teeth;  no  barbels;  dorsal  fins  2,  a  short  anterior  and 
along  posterior  one;  a  long  anal  fin.  This  family  contains  a  single 
genus  with  about  4  species,  large  cod-like  fishes  of  voracious  habits, 
inhabiting  moderate  depths  in  northern  seas.  Merluccius  merluccius 
is  the  common  European  hake  which  strays  to  Greenland.  M. 
bilinearis,  the  silver  hake,  New  England  hake,  or  whiting,  is 
common  from  Newfoundland  to  Cape  Cod,  and  south  to  the 
Bahamas  in  deep  water.  It  is  of  considerable  food-value. 

The   remaining  species   in   our  waters   is   M.  productus,  which 


occurs  on  our  Pacific  Coast  from  Santa  Catalina  to  Puget  Sound; 
everywhere  abundant  and  used  as  food,  but  it  is  of  coarse  and  watery 
texture. 


507 


THE  CODFISHES 

Family  LXXI.     Gadida 

BODY  more  or  less  elongate,  the  caudal  region  moderate, 
coniform  behind,  and  with  the  caudal  rays  procurrent  above  and 
below;  vent  submedian;  scales  small,  cycloid;  mouth  large,  ter- 
minal; chin  with  a  barbel  more  or  less  developed;  gill-openings 
very  wide;  gill-membranes  separate  or  sometimes  united,  com- 
monly free  from  the  isthmus;  no  spines  in  the  fins,  the  rays  all  reticul- 
ated; dorsal  fin  extending  almost  the  whole  length  of  the  back, 
forming  i,  2  or  3  fins;  anal  fin  long,  single  or  divided;  caudal 
fin  distinct,  or  confluent  with  the  dorsal  and  anal;  ventral  fins 
jugular,  each  of  I  to  8  branched  rays;  no  pseudobranchiae;  air- 
bladder  generally  well  developed. 

This  is  a  large  family  with  about  25  genera  and  140  species, 
many  of  which  are  highly  valued  as  food.  They  inhabit  chiefly 
the  northern  seas,  sometimes  venturing  into  oceanic  abysses. 
One  genus  (Lota)  is  confined  to  freshwater  lakes  and  streams. 
In  American  waters  we  have  about  36  species  representing  19 
genera,  of  which  only  the  following  contain  food-fishes  of  any  im- 
portance to  us. 

a.  Anal   divided   into   2   separate  fins,  the   dorsal   into   3. 

b.  Lower    jaw    distinctly    projecting;     barbel    small     or    obsolete; 

caudal  concave. 

c.  Subopercle    arid    postclavicle    normal,    both    thin    and    flat,    not 

enlarged  and  ivory-like ; Pollachius,  509 

cc.  Subopercle  and  postclavicle  enlarged,  the  bone  dense  and 

smooth,  like  ivory ; Theragra,  5 10 

bb.  Lower  jaw  included;  barbel  well  developed;  caudal  not  concave. 

d.  Lateral   line    pale;    supraoccipital    crest   moderate. 

e.  Vent  in  front  of  second  dorsal;  size  very  small;.  ..Microgadus,  51 1 
ee.    Vent    below    second    dorsal;    typical    codfishes    of    large   size; 

Gadus,  5 1 2 
dd.   Lateral    line    black;    supraoccipital    crest    very    high; 

Melanogr animus,  5 1 6 

aa.   Anal   forming  a   continuous  fin   or   sometimes  deeply  notched; 
dorsal  not  divided  into  3  fins. 

/.    Ventral  fins  rather  broad,  each  of  about  6  rays; Lota,  517 

ff.    Ventral  fins  very  slender,  each  with  i  to  3  rays ; . .  Urophycis,  518 

508 


GENUS  POLLACHIUS  NILSSON 
The  Pollacks 

Body  rather  elongate,  covered  with  minute  scales;  mouth 
moderate  or  large,  the  lower  jaw  projecting,  barbel  very  small 
or  obsolete;  villiform  teeth  on  yomer,  none  on  palatines;  teeth 
in  jaws  equal,  or  the  outer  slightly  enlarged;  gill-membranes 
more  or  less  united;  subopercle  and  postclavicle  not  enlarged  and 
not  ivory-like;  dorsal  fins  3;  anal  fins  2;  caudal  lunate;  vent  under 
first  dorsal. 

This  genus  contains  i  species,  P.  virens,  the  common  pollack, 


coal-fish  or  green  cod,  which  is  common  northward  on  both 
coasts  of  the  Atlantic.  It  ranges  as  far  south  as  France  and  Cape 
Cod,  or  even  as  far  as  New  York  on  our  coast.  In  the  northern 
parts  of  its  range  the  pollack  is  abundant,  and  at  times  it  is  quite 
common  as  far  south  as  Cape  Cod.  It  reaches  a  length  of  more 
than  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  25  pounds  or  more.  As  a  food-fish 
it  is  not  highly  esteemed  on  our  coast,  partly,  no  doubt,  on  account 
of  the  fact  that  it  destroys  better  fish.  It  is  very  destructive  to 
the  young  cod,  surrounding  the  schools  and  driving  the  fish  to 
the  surface  where  they  fall  a  prey  to  the  voracious  pollacks  attacking 
them  from  below  and  hundreds  of  screeching  sea-gulls  which  with 
astonishing  voracity  and  precision  pounce  upon  them  from  above. 

The  pollack  is  very  productive.  According  to  Mr.  E.  R.  Earll, 
a  fish  3  feet  3^  inches  long  and  weighing  23^-  pounds  contained 
4,029,200  eggs  and  one  of  13  pounds  produced  2,569,753  eggs. 
The  eggs,  of  course  are  very  small.  They  are  buoyant,  floating  at 

5°9 


The  Pollacks 

the  surface  and  hatch  in  5  or  6  days.  The  spawning  time  ol 
this  species  on  our  coast  is  in  the  fall. 

As  a  food-fish  the  pollack  is  by  many  highly  esteemed.  There 
are  those  who  prefer  it  to  the  cod  when  salted,  and  others  com- 
mend it  most  highly  when  fresh.  The  liver  yields  a  valuable  oil 
which  is  doubtless  used  extensively  in  adulterating  cod-liver  oil. 

As  a  game-fish  the  pollack  has  not  been  fully  appreciated, 
in  some  localities  at  least  it  is  a  very  voracious  fish,  taking  the 
hook  freely  and  fighting  vigorously.  In  Massachusetts  Bay  great 
numbers  are  caught  with  a  surface  bait,  but  larger  fish  must  be 
sought  at  the  bottom.  North  of  Cape  Cod  young  pollack  afford 
much  sport  to  fly-fishermen. 

The  genus  Theragra  is  closely  allied  to  Pollachius,  from 
which  it  differs  in  the  thick,  smooth  and  dense  subopercle 
and  postclavicle,  hones  which  are  squamous  in  Pollachius.  There 
are  also  differences  in  the  number  of  the  vertebrae. 

Of  the  2  known  species,  T.  chalcogrammus,  the  Alaska  pollack, 
is  the  more  important. 


This  pollack  is  found  in  Bering  Sea  and  neighbouring 
waters  south  to  Sitka  and  the  Kurils.  It  is  excessively  abundant 
throughout  Bering  Sea,  swimming  near  the  surface  and  furnishing 
the  greater  part  of  the  food  of  the  fur  seal.  It  reaches  a  length 
of  3  feet  and  is  doubtless  a  good  food-fish,  but  no  important  fishery 
for  it  has  been  established. 

South  of  Sitka  this  species  is  replaced  by  a  closely  related 
one,  T.  fucensis,  which  is  abundant  in  Puget  Sound  and  is 
found  as  far  south  as  Monterey  Bay. 


These  are  very  small  codfishes  allied  to  Gadus,  but  with  the 
vent  placed  before  the  second  dorsal  and  with  a  different  structure 
of  the  cranium. 

There  are  2  species. 

The  first  of  these  is  the  common  tomcod,  M.  tomcod,  which 
is  found  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  from  Virginia  to  Cape  Sable.  It 
may  be  distinguished  by  the  possession  of  21  or  22  rays  in  the 
dorsal  fin. 

Though  usually  known  as  the  tomcod,  it  is  in  many  places 
called  the  frostfish  because  it  is  most  abundant  in  early  winter 


when  it  approaches  the  shores  and  even  ascends  rivers  and  creeks 
for  spawning  purposes.  It  has  been  taken  in  the  Kennebec  River 
60  miles  from  its  mouth  and  far  above  the  reach  of  the  tide.  When 
ascending  rivers  they  are  taken  in  large  numbers  with  dip-nets  and 
with  hook  and  line  at  bridges  and  wharves. 

Though  most  abundant  in  winter  they  may  be  found  along 
the  shore  at  all  seasons. 

In  form  the  tomcod  is  a  miniature  cod,  and  there  is  difficulty 
in  distinguishing  the  young  of  the  2  species.  The  tomcod  rarely 
exceeds  a  foot  in  length,  feeds  upon  crustaceans,  mollusks  and 
small  fishes,  and  is  esteemed  in  many  localities  as  a  delicacy. 


California  Tomcod 

The    other   species    is    M.  proximus,    the    California    tomcod, 


which  occurs  on  our  Pacific  Coast  from  Monterey  Bay  to  Unalaska. 
It  is  usually  abundant  and  is  a  useful  and  valued  food-fish.  It 
is  easily  distinguished  from  the  Atlantic  species  by  the  characters 
given  above. 


GENUS  GADUS  (ARTEDI)  LINN^US. 

The  True  Codfishes 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed  and  tapering  behind; 
scales  very  small;  lateral  line  present,  pale;  head  narrowed  an- 
teriorly; mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  front  of  eye; 
chin  with  a  barbel;  teeth  in  jaws,  cardiform,  subequal;  vomer 
with  teeth,  none  on  the  palatines;  cranium  without  the  expanded 
crests  seen  in  Melanogr  animus  \  no  part  of  the  skeleton  expanded 
and  ivory-like;  dorsal  fins  3,  well  separated;  anal  fins  2;  ventral 
fins  well  developed,  of  about  7  rays  each. 

Species  of  northern  seas,  and  all  highly  valued  as  food. 


Common  Codfish 


Common  Codfish 

Gadus  callarias  Linnceus 

This  important  and  well-known  fish  is  found  in  the  North 
Atlantic  and  on  both  coasts,  south  to  France  and  Virginia.  From 
the  earliest  settlement  of  America  the  cod  has  been  the  most 
valuable  of  our  Atlantic  Coast  fishes.  Indeed,  the  codfish  of  the 
Banks  of  Newfoundland  was  one  of  the  principal  inducements 
which  led  England  to  establish  colonies  in  America,  and  in  the 
records  of  early  voyages  are  many  references  to  the  abundance 
of  codfish  along  our  shores.  It  is  even  claimed  that  English  ves- 
sels visited  the  fishing  grounds  near  Iceland  as  early  as  1415,  and 
that  the  Basques  knew  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland  centuries 
before  the  discovery  of  America  by  Columbus.  So  important 
was  the  cod  in  the  early  history  of  this  country  that  it  was 
placed  upon  the  colonial  seal  of  Massachusetts,  and  it  was  also 
placed  upon  a  Nova  Scotian  bank-note,  with  the  legend  "Success 
to  the  Fisheries." 

The  cod  is  omnivorous,  and  feeds  upon  various  kinds  of 
animals,  including  crustaceans,  mollusks  and  small  fishes,  and  even 
browses  upon  Irish  moss  and  other  aquatic  vegetation.  All  sorts 
of  things  have  been  found  in  cods'  stomachs,  such  as  scissors, 
oil-cans,  finger-rings,  rocks,  potato  parings,  corn  cobs,  rubber 
dolls,  pieces  of  clothing,  the  heel  of  a  boot,  as  well  as  many 
new  or  rare  specimens  of  mollusks  and  crustaceans.  The  belief 
that  the  stones  are  taken  in  by  the  cod  as  ballast,  and  that  the 
finger-rings,  boot-heels,  etc.,  indicate  that  the  cod  is  a  "  man- 
eater,"  are  by  no  means  necessary  conclusions. 

513 


Common  Codfish 

The  movements  of  the  cod  are  not  well  understood.  They 
go  in  schools,  but  not  in  such  dense  bodies  as  mackerel,  herring 
and  menhaden.  The  movements  on  and  off  shore  and  from  bank 
to  bank  are  due  chiefly  to  temperature  influences,  the  presence 
or  absence  of  food,  and  the  search  for  proper  spawning  con- 
ditions. In  the  winter  months  there  is  a  well-marked  movement 
of  large  bodies  of  cod  to  the  shores  of  New  England  and  the 
Middle  States,  and  important  fisheries  are  then  carried  in  regions 
where  cod  are  not  found  at  other  seasons.  This  movement  seems 
to  be  chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  finding  shallow  grounds  suitable 
for  spawning  purposes.  They  sometimes  make  long  journeys,  as 
is  evidenced  by  the  capture  on  the  New  England  Coast  of  cod 
with  hooks  in  their  mouths  such  as  French  fishermen  use  on 
the  Grand  Banks.  The  cod  is  essentially  a  deep-water  fish,  and 
is  usually  taken  in  20  to  70  fathoms.  It  has  been  taken  at  300 
fathoms  depth. 

The  largest  cod  recorded  from  New  England  weighed  21 1| 
pounds  and  was  over  6  feet  long.  It  was  taken  on  a  trawl  off 
the  northern  coast  of  Massachusetts  in  May,  1895.  Many  examples 
weighing  100  to  175  pounds  have  been  recorded,  but  cod  weigh- 
ing even  75  pounds  are  not  at  all  common.  The  average  weight 
of  the  large-size  cod  caught  in  the  shore-waters  of  New  England 
is  about  35  pounds;  on  Georges  Bank,  25  pounds;  on  the  Grand 
Bank  and  other  eastern  grounds,  20  pounds.  The  average  weighl 
of  the  small-size  cod  caught  on  all  these  grounds  is  about  12 
pounds. 

The  principal  spawning  time  of  the  cod  on  the  New  England 
coast  is  in  the  winter,  the  season  beginning  as  early  as  Novem- 
ber, and  continuing  until  April. 

The  cod  is  one  of  the  most  prolific  fishes.  The  ovaries  of 
a  2i-pound  cod  have  been  computed  to  contain  2,700,000  eggs, 
and  a  75-pound  cod,  9,100,000  eggs.  The  egg  is  very  small, 
only  about  -^  to  fa  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  about  337,000 
are  required  to  make  one  quart.  When  it  is  remembered  that 
under  natural  conditions,  in  order  to  maintain  the  normal  num- 
ber of  codfish  it  is  only  necessary  for  two  of  these  eggs  to  hatch 
arid  grow  to  maturity,  it  is  easily  seen  that  the  destruction  of  eggs 
is  very  great.  If  all  the  eggs  of  a  75-pound  cod  should 
hatch  and  grow  to  maturity,  the  ocean  would  soon  become 
packed  solid  with  codfish. 

SM 


Alaska  Codfish 

The  principal  loss  is  probably  due  to  failure  of  impregnation, 
to  great  numbers  being  thrown  upon  the  shore  by  the  waves, 
and  to  the  vast  numbers  eaten  by  various  animals,  including 
fishes,  birds  and  invertebrates. 

Commercially  the  cod  is  most  important.  In  the  matter 
of  persons  engaged,  vessels  employed,  capital  invested  and  value 
of  catch,  the  taking  of  codfish  in  the  United  States  is  more  ex- 
tensive than  any  other  fishery  for  fish  proper.  At  least  600  ves- 
sels are  engaged  taking  cod;  they  carry  about  7,000  men,  and 
are  valued  at  $3,000,000.  The  catch  in  1898  amounted  to  more 
than  96,000,000  pounds,  with  a  first  value  of  about  $2,000,000. 

Cod  are  taken  with  hand  and  trawl  lines,  baited  with  fish, 
squid,  etc.,  and  fished  for  from  small  boats,  or  the  vessel's  deck. 
The  principal  grounds  are  the  "banks" — Grand,  Georges,  West- 
ern, Quereau,  etc. 

The  cod  is  propagated  artificially  on  a  more  extensive  scale 
than  any  other  marine  fish.  The  number  of  cod  fry  liberated  by 
the  United  States  Fish  Commission  up  to  1898  was  449,764,000. 
The  output  for  1896-97  was  98,000,000,  and  the  unmistakable 
economic  results  which  have  attended  these  efforts  warrant  all 
the  time  and  money  devoted  to  them,  and  justify  the  greatest 
possible  expansion  of  the  work. 

The  common  cod  is  greenish  or  brownish,  subject  to  great 
variations,  sometimes  yellowish  or  reddish,  the  back  and  sides 
with  numerous  rounded  brownish  spots;  lateral  line  pale;  fins 
dark. 

Alaska   Codfish 

Gadus  macrocephalus  Tilesius 

This  cod  is  very  abundant  in  Bering  Sea,  on  both  shores, 
and  ranges  southward  on  our  coast  as  far  as  Oregon  on  the  off- 
shore banks.  It  is  usually  found  in  15  to  130  fathoms,  and  is  an 
important  food-fish,  though  not  held  in  as  high  esteem  as  the 
common  cod  of  the  Atlantic.  Externally,  few  if  any  important 
differences  are  observable  between  the  two,  but  the  air-bladder 
or  "sound"  of  the  Pacific  species  is  markedly  smaller. 

Colour,  brownish,  lighter  below;  back  and  sides  with  numer- 
ous brownish  spots;  first  anal  and  ventral  fins  dusky,  other  fins 

pale. 

5*5 


GENUS  MELANOGRAMMUS  GILL 
The  Haddocks 

This  genus  is  distinguished  from  the  Gadus  by  its  smaller 
mouth,  the  produced  first  dorsal  fin,  the  black  lateral  line, 
and  especially  by  the  great  enlargement  of  the  hypocoracoid, 
which  is  dense  and  ivory-like.  The  lateral  line  is  always  black. 
The  single  species  is  the  common  haddock,  M.  ceglefinus,  which 
is  of  more  restricted  distribution  than  the  cod. 


On  our  coast  it  probably  does  not  occur  north  of  the  Strait 
of  Belle  Isle,  and  the  southern  limit  of  its  range  is  off  Cape  Hat- 
teras  in  deep  water.  It  is  found  also  from  Iceland  to  France, 
and  is  particularly  abundant  on  all  the  shores  of  Great  Britain 
and  the  North  Sea.  They  are  abundant  on  the  Massachusetts 
coast  in  summer,  and  it  is  then  that  the  largest  catches  are 
made  there  as  well  as  on  the  off-shore  banks  in  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence.  On  our  coast  there  has  been  great  variation  in 
the  abundance  of  the  haddock;  during  some  years  it  abounds,  while 
in  others  it  is  very  rare,  the  cause  of  which  is  not  understood. 
They  are  more  gregarious  than  the  cod,  swimming  together  in 
large  compact  schools  from  place  to  place. 

The  food  of  the  haddock  consists  largely  of  invertebrates, 
although  it  is  really  omnivorous,  and  Professor  Verrill  has  said 
that  a  complete  list  of  the  animals  eaten  by  the  haddock  would 
doubtless  include  all  the  species  of  mollusks  belonging  to  the 
New  England  coast  fauna.  The  haddock  is  rarely  seen  at  the 


The  Haddocks 

surface,  but  is  a  bottom  feeder,  particularly  abundant  over  clam- 
banks,  hence  its  German  name  Schellfisch.  It  will  take  the 
baited  hook  as  it  rests  on  the  bottom,  while  a  cod  will  not 
notice  it  until  it-  is  raised  a  little  above  the  bottom.  Salted 
menhaden  and  stale  clams  are  favourite  baits  for  haddock. 

The  spawning  season  on  our  coast  is  from  April  to  June, 
the  height  being  in  May.  The  eggs  float  at  the  surface  like  those 
of  the  cod.  The  size  is  about  -fa  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  a  9^ 
pound  fish  produced  1,839,581  eggs.  The  usual  size  of  the  had- 
dock is  about  3  or  4  pounds,  and  the  maximum  about  17 
pounds. 

As  a  food-fish  the  haddock  has  steadily  grown  in  favour 
until  it  is  now  one  of  the  most  important.  It  is  especially  de- 
sirable for  boiling  or  for  making  chowders.  It  is  well  suited  for 
preservation  in  ice,  and  enormous  quantities  are  shipped  through- 
out the  interior,  along  with  the  cod.  It  is  also  smoked,  salted 
and  dried  in  large  numbers. 

Colour,  dark  gray  above,  whitish  below;  lateral  line  black;  a 
large  dark  blotch  over  the  pectoral;  dorsals  and  caudal  dusky. 


GENUS  LOTA  (CUYIER)  OKEN 

Body  long  and  low,  compressed  behind;  head  small,  depressed, 
rather  broad;  anterior  nostrils  each  with  a  small  barbel;  chin  with 
a  long  barbel;  snout  and  lower  parts  of  head  naked;  mouth 
moderate,  the  lower  jaw  included;  each  jaw  with  broad  bands 
of  equal,  villiform  teeth;  vomer  with  a  broad  crescent-shaped 
band  of  similar  teeth;  no  teeth  on  palatines;  gill-openings  wide, 
the  membranes  somewhat  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus; 
scales  very  small,  imbedded;  vertical  fins  scaly;  dorsal  fins  2, 
the  anterior  short,  the  second  long  and  similar  to  the  anal; 
caudal  rounded,  its  outer  rays  procurrent. 

One  of  the  2  known  species  is  found  in  our  waters.  This 
is  the  ling  or  lake  lawyer,  Lota  maculosa.  The  ling  is  our  only 
freshwater  member  of  the  codfish  family.  It  is  found  pretty  well 
distributed  in  the  larger  lakes  of  Canada  and  the  northern  United 
States  from  Maine  and  New  Brunswick  to  the  headwaters  of  the 
Missouri,  and  to  Alaska.  It  is  probably  most  abundant  in  the 

517 


THE   FLOUNDERS 

Family  LXX1I.     Pleuronectidce 

Flat  fish,  with  eyes  distorted,  square,  ovoid,  rhomboid,  long, 
Some  cased  in   mail,   some    slippery-backed,   the    feeble    and 

the   strong, 
Sedan'd  on   poles,  or  dragged   on   hooks,  or  poured  from  tubs 

like    water, 

Gasp  side  by  side,  together  piled,  in  one  promiscuous  slaughter. 

— Badham. 

BODY  strongly  compressed,  oval  or  ellipical  in  outline;  head 
unsymmetrical,  the  cranium  twisted,  both  eyes  being  on  the 
same  side  of  the  body,  which  is  horizontal  in  life,  the  eyed  side 
being  uppermost  and  coloured,  the  blind  side  lowermost  and 
usually  plain.  In  the  very  young  the  bones  of  the  head  are  symmetri- 
cal, one  eye  on  each  side,  and  the  body  is  vertical  in  the  water, 
but  the  cranium  very  soon  becomes  twisted  so  as  to  bring  both  eyes 
on  one  side.  Eyes  large  and  usually  well  separated;  mouth  large 
or  small,  teeth  always  present,  premaxillaries  protractile;  pseudo- 
branchiae  present;  preopercular  margin  more  or  less  distinct,  not 
hidden  by  the  skin  and  scales. 

Further  description  is  not  necessary,  as  there  is  no  mistaking 
a  flounder.  Everyone  who  see  a  flounder  recognizes  it  at  once 
as  such,  and  everyone  knows  what  "flat  as  a  flounder"  means. 
The  family  is  a  large  one,  embracing  about  55  genera  and  nearly 
500  species,  nearly  all  of  which  are  carnivorous,  inhabiting  sandy 
bottoms  in  all  seas  from  the  Polar  regions  to  the  Tropics,  and  many 
of  them  are  important  food-fishes. 

The  family  divides  readily  into  3  subfamilies,  as  indicated  in 
the  following  key: 

a.  Ventral  fins  symmetrical,  similar  in  position  and  form  of  base,  the 

one  on   coloured  side  not  extended  along  the   ridge   of  the 
abdomen. 

b.  Mouth    nearly   symmetrical,   the  teeth    about  equally   developed 

on  both  sides ; Halibut  tribe,  521 

bb.   Mouth   unsymmetrical,    the  teeth   chiefly    on     the    blind    side; 
eyes  and  colour  on  right  side ; Flounder  tribe,  521 

520 


The  Flounders 

aa.  Ventral  fins  unsymmetrical,  dissimilar  in  position  and  usually 
also  in  form,  the  one  on  the  eyed  side  being  extended  along 
the  ridge  of  the  abdomen;  eyes  and  colour  on  left  side; 

Turbot  tribe,  532 

ANALYSIS  OF  GENERA   OF  THE   HIPPOGLOSSIN/E,    OR   HALIBUT  TRIBE 

6.  Vertebrae  and  fin-rays  much  increased  in  number;  D.  about  100; 
A.  85;  caudal  fin  lunate. 

b.  Large  teeth  in  both  jaws  arrow-shaped,  biserial,  some  of  them 

depressible;  upper  eye  with  a  vertical  range;  gillrakers  short; 

Atheresthes,  522 

bb.  Large  teeth  not  arrow-shaped,  biserial  above,  uniserial  below; 
gillrakers  long  and  slender. 

c.  Lateral   line   without  anterior  arch;    lower  pharyngeal  teeth  uni- 

serial ; Reinhardtius,  522 

cc.  Lateral  line  with  an  anterior  arch;  lower  pharyngeal  teeth 

biserial ; Hippoglossus,  523 

aa.  Vertebras  and  fin-rays  in  moderate  number;  D.  fewer  than  95; 

A.  fewer  than   75. 

d.  Lateral    line    without    distinct   anterior    arch.     Species    of  sub- 

arctic  distribution. 

e.  Lateral  line   simple,   without  accessory  dorsal   branch. 
/.   Teeth  in  upper  jaw  biserial. 

g.   Scales  comparatively  large,    thin   and  deciduous;    lateral  line  70; 

Lyopselta,  524 

gg.   Scales   small   and  adherent;    lateral   line    96; Eopsetta,  524 

ff.   Teeth   in  the  upper   jaw   uniserial; Hippoglossoides,  525 

ee.    Lateral  line  with  an  accessory  dorsal  branch; Psettichthys,  525 

dd.  Lateral  line  with  an  arch  in  front.  Species  chiefly  of  temper- 
ate or  subtropical  seas ; Paralichthys,  526 

ANALYSIS   OF  GENERA   OF  THE   PLEURONECTIN,€,    OR   FLOUNDER  TRIBE 

a.  Lateral  line  with  a  distinct  arch    in  front; Limanda,  528 

aa.    Lateral  line  without  a  distinct  arch  in  front. 

b.  Scales   imperfectly  imbricated,   or  else   not  all   ctenoid. 

c.  Scales   rough-ctenoid   in  the   male,  more   or  less  cycloid   in  the 

female;   lower  pharyngeals  very  large,    more  or  less   united; 

Liopsetta,  531 
cc.   Scales  all   in  both  sexes  and  on  both  sides  of  body  represented 

by   coarse,   scattered   stellate  tubercles; Plalichthys,  531 

bb.   Scales   regularly   imbricated,    all    ctenoid    in    both    sexes: 

Pseudopleuronectes,  528 


521 


Arrow-toothed    Halibut 

Arrow-toothed  Halibut 

Atheresthes  stomias  (Jordan  &  Gilbert) 

The  single  species  of  this  genus  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
of  the  flounders.  It  approaches  in  form  and  general  characters  most 
nearly  to  the  cod-like  fishes,  from  ancestors  of  which  we  suppose  the 
flounders  to  have  descended. 

This  fish  is  found  from  San  Francisco  to  Bering  Sea  and  is 
most  common  northward.  It  is  not  rare  in  deep  water  off  San 
Francisco,  where  it  is  caught  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  sweep- 
nets  or  paranzelles,  used  in  Drake  Bay.  About  Unalaska  and 
elsewhere  northward  it  occurs  in  shallower  water.  It  was  dredged 
in  abundance  by  the  Albatross  on  both  sides  of  the  Alaskan 
Peninsula  and  in  Bristol  Bay  in  32  to  406  fathoms;  Mr.  N.  B. 
Scofield  found  it  in  abundance  in  Chignik  Bay,  and  we  have  taken 
it  at  Unga  and  Karluk. 

This  species  reaches  a  length  of  2  feet  and  is  a  good  food-fish. 

Greenland  Halibut 

Reinhardtius  hippoglossoidcs  (Walbaum) 

The  Greenland  halibut  is  found  in  Arctic  parts  of  the  Atlantic 
and  south  to  Finland  and  the  Grand  Banks. 

It  is  known  also  as  the  Greenland  turbot  and  little  halibut, 
and  is  abundant  on  the  coast  of  Greenland  where  it  is  found  in 
very  deep  water. 

It  is  said  to  be  found  chiefly  in  the  ice-fiords  and  between 
the  great  ice-fields  in  northern  Greenland,  and  there  only  in  the 
coldest  months  in  the  year.  It  is  fished  for  by  the  natives  through 
holes  cut  in  the  ice.  In  South  Greenland  it  is  caught  on  the 
oceanic  banks  in  60  to  180  fathoms.  In  Fortune  Bay,  Newfound- 
land, it  is  abundant  in  60  to  300  fathoms,  where  it  is  caught  chiefly 
in  winter.  They  are  taken  also  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  oceanic 
banks  in  250  to  300  fathoms,  a  depth  greater  than  that  usually 
frequented  by  the  true  halibut,  and  where  the  slope  is  so  nearly 
vertical  that  it  would  seem  difficult  for  them  to  maintain  a  hold 
upon  the  bottom. 

522 


Common  Halibut 

This  flounder  is  more  symmetrical  than  any  other  of  the  family 
on  our  coast,  and,  moreover,  is  coloured  on  both  sides,  which 
is  unusual  in  flounders  and  indicates  that  this  species  is  in  its 
movements  more  like  ordinary  symmetrical  fishes  and  that  it  can 
rest  with  the  body  in  a  vertical  position. 

The  flesh  of  the  Greenland  halibut  is  said  to  be  exceedingly 
palatable,  it  being  firm,  white  and  flaky,  and  less  dry  and  more 
delicate  than  that  of  the  common  halibut. 

The  average  weight  is  10  to  25  pounds,  and  the  colour  is 
yellowish-brown. 

Common  Halibut 

Hippoglossus  hippoglossus  (Linnaeus) 

The  halibut  is  the  only  member  of  the  genus,  and  is  found 
in  all  northern  seas.  In  the  North  Atlantic  it  is  found  as  far 
south  as  the  Cattegat  in  Europe,  and  occasionally  the  English 
Channel,  while  on  the  American  side  it  has  been  taken  as  far 
south  as  Montauk  Point.  Its  occurrence  south  of  40°  is  unusual. 
Northward  its  range  extends  at  least  as  far  as  Cumberland  Gulf, 
in  latitude  64°,  and  on  the  coast  of  Greenland  to  71°  north.  It 
is  abundant  also  about  Iceland  and  Spitzbergen,  in  latitude  80°. 

The  halibut  is  a  fish  of  the  coldest  waters.  The  tempera- 
ture of  the  water  in  which  it  is  taken  rarely  exceeds  45°  Fahr., 
and  it  is  often  as  cold  as  3^°.  In  the  Atlantic  it  is  closely 
associated  with  the  cod,  although  usually  in  somewhat  colder 
water.  In  the  Pacific  the  halibut  ranges  from  Bering  Straits  to 
San  Francisco  and  the  Farallones.  According  to  Dr.  Bean  its 
centre  of  abundance  is  in  the  Gulf  of  Alaska,  particularly  about 
Kadiak  and  the  Shumagin  Islands.  A  very  large  and  important 
.halibut  bank  is  found  in  the  mouth  of  the  Straits  of  Fuca,  and 
others  have  been  developed  on  the  Pacific  Coast  by  the  Albatross. 
The  bulk  of  the  halibut  now  brought  to  Puget  Sound  ports 
comes  from  off  Cape  Flattery,  and  northward  into  southeast 
Alaska.  Very  important  gounds  are  in  Dixon  Entrance,  about 
Queen  Charlotte  Island,  and  along  the  coast  of  British  Columbia. 

The  halibut  is  one  of  the  very  largest  of  fishes  and,  of  all  our 
species,  is  equalled  in  size  only  by  the  sword-fish,  the  tuna,  mola,  and 
the  tarpon.  Captain  J.  W.  Collins  says  he  has  never  seen  examples 

5*3 


Common  Halibut 

weighing  more  than  250  pounds.  Captain  Atwood  mentions  one 
which  dressed  237  pounds,  and  2  others  taken  near  Race  Point 
which  weighed  359  and  401  pounds  respectively.  Dr.  Goode  had 
the  record  of  10  or  12  captured  on  the  New  England  coast, 
each  weighing  300  to  400  pounds,  and  Nilsson  records  one  from 
the  coast  of  Sweden  that  weighed  720  pounds.  A  halibut  weigh- 
ing 350  pounds  is  about  7  or  8  feet  long  and  nearly  4  feet  wide. 
The  male  halibut  is  always  much  smaller  than  the  female,  and 
rarely  exceeds  50  pounds  in  weight. 

Very  large  fish  are  not  so  highly  esteemed  as  those  of  smaller 
size.  A  fat  female  of  about  80  pounds  is  said  by  experts  to  be 
the  most  savoury. 

The  halibut  ranks  among  the  most  valued  food-fishes  of  the 
world.  In  1898  the  halibut  landed  at  Gloucester  and  Boston 
amounted  to  10,378,181  pounds,  valued  at  $576,382.  In  1899  it 
was  somewhat  less  in  quantity  (9,025,182  pounds)  but  valued  at 
$600,000.  The  halibut  fishery  on  our  Pacific  coast  is  also  of 
vast  importance.  The  catch  on  the  coast  of  Washington,  Oregon 
and  California  in  1895  aggregated  1,719,315  pounds,  valued  at 
$39,818.  In  1899  the  catch  was  6,877,640  pounds,  valued  at 
$192,280.  And  since  1899  the  catch  has  enormously  increased, 
but  no  exact  figures  are  available. 

At  the  present  time  the  shipment  of  fresh  halibut  from  the 
Pacific  Coast  to  the  East  is  an  important  business.  It  was  only 
to-day  (March  5)  that  we  noticed  in  the  daily  papers  an  account 
of  the  running  of  a  fish-train  from  Vancouver  to  Boston — the 
"Halibut  Express,"  "comprising  9  cars  of  fresh  halibut,  I  of 
Puget  Sound  salmon,  and  i  of  Squallish  Valley  hops,"  a 
through  fish-train  from  the  Pacific  to  the  Atlantic  in  6  days! 

The  only  species  of  Lyopsetta  is  L.  exilis.  This  is  a  small 
flounder,  rarely  exceeding  a  foot  in  length  and  a  pound  in 
weight,  which  is  exceedingly  abundant  in  deep  water  on  sandy 
bottom  from  San  Francisco  to  Puget  Sound.  It  is  taken  in  the 
sweep-nets,  or  paranzelle,  in  the  spring  off  Point  Reyes  in  enor- 
mous numbers,  sometimes  a  ton  at  a  haul.  It  is  less  abundant 
in  Puget  Sound,  though  taken  in  considerable  numbers  in  seines. 
Its  flesh  is  soft,  and  the  fish  does  not  sell  well. 

The  genus  Eopsetta  contains  a  single  species,  E.  jordani. 
This  flounder,  known  on  the  California  coast  almost  exclusively 
as  "sole,"  is  found  from  Monterey  to  Puget  Sound.  It  is  rare 

5*4 


The  Sand-dab  or  Rough-dab 

north  of  Cape  Mendocino,  but  abundant  in  Monterey  Bay,  where 
great  numbers  are  taken  by  Chinamen  on  set-lines  baited  with 
anchovies.  It  reaches  a  length  of  18  inches,  and  a  weight  of  6 
or  8  pounds,  the  average  being  about  3  pounds.  As  a  food-fish 
it  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  family.  Great  numbers  are  dried 
yearly  by  the  Chinese,  who  suspend  them  by  strings  on  a  frame 
placed  on  the  roofs  of  the  houses,  as  they  are  too  fleshy  to  dry 
well  on  tables.  Here  they  rustle  in  the  wind,  and,  striking  to.- 
gether,  produce  a  sound  like  the  wind  among  the  leaves. 


GENUS  HIPPOGLOSSOIDES  GOTTSCHE 

Body  oblong,  moderately  compressed;  mouth  rather  large, 
with  i  row  of  sharp  teeth  in  each  jaw;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or 
palatines;  lateral  line  nearly  straight,  simple;  eyes  and  colour  on 
right  side,  except  in  H.  elassodon. 

This  genus  contains  3  or  4  species,  only  2  of  which  are  of 
any  importance.  The  sand-dab,  or  rough-dab,  H.  platessoides,  is 
found  in  the  North  Atlantic,  and  as  far  south  as  Woods  Hole. 
It  is  abundant  on  the  English  coast,  and  is  a  well-known  food- 
fish  in  Scandinavia.  It  is  found  off  the  New  England  coast  in 
rather  deep  water.  It  reaches  2  feet  in  length,  and  a  weight  of 
3. or  4  pounds.  As  a  food-fish  it  is  highly  esteemed,  especially 
in  Europe. 

H.  elassodon  occurs  from  Bering  Sea  south  to  Puget  Sound. 
It  is  common  about  the  wharves  at  Seattle,  Port  Townsend  and 
Tacoma,  where  it  takes  the  hook  readily  and  affords  the  boys 
much  sport.  It  reaches  a  length  of  15  or  18  inches,  a  weight  of 
2  or  3  pounds,  and  is  a  good  food-fish. 

The  single  species  of  Tsettichthys  is  P.  melanostictus.  This  is 
one  of  the  most  common  flounders  on  the  Pacific  Coast  from 
Monterey  Bay  to  Sitka,  and  is  everywhere  known  as  "sole." 
It  attains  a  length  of  about  20  inches,  and  a  weight  of  4  or  5 
pounds,  the  average  length  being  perhaps  15  inches.  Although 
never  found  in  large  numbers,  it  is  always  present  in  the  mar- 
kets, and  is  considered  a  good  food-fish. 


S'5 


GENUS  PARALICHTHYS   GIRARD 
The    Bastard    Halibuts 


Body  oblong;  mouth  large,  oblique,  each  jaw  with  a  single 
row  of  usually  slender  teeth  which  are  more  or  less  enlarged 
anteriorly;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines;  gillrakers  slender; 
scales  small,  weakly  ctenoid  or  ciliated;  lateral  line  simple,  with 
a  strong  curve  anteriorly;  dorsal  fin  beginning  before  the  eyes, 
its  anterior  rays  not  produced ;  both  ventrals  lateral. 

Species  numerous,  found  in  all  warm  seas.  Many  species 
inhabiting  both  coasts  of  America  and  the  eastern  and  southern 
coasts  of  Asia. 


a.  Gillrakers   in   large   numbers,    about  9+20; calif ornicus,   526 

aa.    Gillrakers  less  numerous,  about  5  oro+n  to  2\;..dentatus,  526 
aaa.   Gillrakers  few,  shortish  and  wide-set,  about  2  or  3+8  to  10 

in  number. 

b.  Body  ovate,    more   or  less   compressed   and   opaque. 

c.  Dorsal  rays  numerous,  85  to  93;  A.  65  to  73.  -lethostigmus,  527 
cc.    Dorsal   rays  in  moderate   numbers,  70  to  80;  A.  54  to  61; 

albiguttus,   527 
bb.   Body  oblong,   strongly  compressed,   semitranslucent; 

oblongus,   528 

The  Monterey  or  bastard  halibut,  P.  californicus,  reaches  a 
length  of  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  50  or  60  pounds  and  is  com- 
mon on  the  California  coast  from  Tomales  Bay  to  Cerros  Island. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  common  food-fishes  of  that  coast  where 
it  takes  the  place  occupied  by  the  summer  flounder  on  the  Atlan- 
tic side.  It  lives  in  shallow  water,  the  young  abounding  near 
shore.  It  does  not  rank  high  as  a  food-fish,  the  flesh  of  the 
large  ones  being  tough  and  coarse,  while  the  young  are  inferior 
to  most  of  the  so-called  Pacific  soles. 

The  summer  flounder  or  plaice,  P.  dentatus,  is,  next  to  the 
halibut,  the  most  important  of  all  the  flatfishes  on  our  Atlantic 
Coast.  It  is  abundant  from  Cape  Cod  to  the  Carolinas.  It  reaches 
a  length  of  nearly  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  about  15  pounds.  It 

526 


The  Bastard  Halibuts 


has  by  most  writers  been   confounded  with  the  southern  flounder 
from  which  it  is  most  easily  distinguished  by  its  more  numerous 


gillrakers  and  mottled  colouration.  They  are  usually  found  in  a 
depth  of  2  to  20  fathoms.  In  winter  they  move  into  deeper  water. 
The  largest  example  of  which  we  have  seen  a  record  weighed 
26  pounds. 

The  most  extensive  fisheries  for  this  fish  are  on  the  New 
England  Coast.  Great  numbers  are  sometimes  caught  in  seines 
along  shore,  though  favourite  fishing-grounds  are  on  sandy  bottom, 
in  15  to  20  fathoms  about  Block  Island,  Marthas  Vineyard,  and 
the  eastern  end  of  Long  Island. 

The  colour  of  this  flounder  in  life  is  a  light  olive-brown, 
with  numerous  small  white  spots  on  body  and  vertical  fins; 
sometimes  a  series  of  large  white  spots  along  bases  of  dorsal 
and  anal  fins;  about  14  ocellated  dark  spots  on  side. 

The  southern  flounder,  P.  lethostigmus,  is  close  to  the  summer 
flounder  with  which  it  has  often  been  confounded.  It  is  the 
common  large  species  usually  abundant  from  Charleston  south- 
ward and  along  the  entire  Gulf  Coast.  We  have  collected  it  in 
Indian  River  and  at  Tampa,  and  Mr.  Silas  Stearns  found  it 
abundant  in  shoal  water  on  the  west  coast  of  Florida  in  summer. 

The  Gulf  flounder,  P.  albiguttus,  is  rather  common  on  the 
South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts  of  the  United  States.  It  resembles 
the  southern  flounder  in  having  few  gillrakers,  and  the  summer 

5*7 


The  Bastard  Halibuts 

flounder  in  the  mottled  colouration,  while  from  each  it  is  dis- 
tinguished by  its  fewer  dorsal  and  anal  rays.  It  attains  a  length 
of  about  2  feet. 

The  four-spotted  flounder,  P.  oblongus,  is  rather  common  on 
the  coast  of  Cape  Cod  and  neighbouring  islands.  It  is  a  good 
food-fish  and  may  be  known  by  the  4  large,  horizontal  oblong 
black  ocelli,  each  surrounded  by  a  pinkish  border,  on  side  of  body. 

The  genus  Limanda  contains  one  species,  the  Alaska  dab, 
L.  aspera,  which  is  of  some  food-value. 

This  is  a  species  of  the  northern  Pacific  and  Bering  Sea  and 
is  found  on  both  coasts.  On  our  coast  it  is  generally  common 
as  far  south  as  Vancouver  Island.  In  Bristol  Bay  it  is  particularly 
abundant  and  is  regarded  as  being  an  excellent  food-fish. 

There  are  3  other  species  of  Limanda  but  none  of  them  of 
any  value  commercially  except  the  rusty  dab,  L.  ferruginea.  This 


small  flounder  is  found  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  from  New  York 
to  Labrador  and  is  not  uncommon  northward.  Though  small,  it 
is  a  good  food-fish. 

The  genus  Pseudopleuronectes  contains  one  very  important 
species.  This  is  the  winter  flounder  or  common  flatfish,  P. 
americanus. 

The  winter  flounder  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  species  on 
our  Atlantic  Coast,  ranging  south  to  the  Carolinas  and  north  to 
Labrador.  It  is  especially  abundant  in  southern  New  England 
and  New  York.  It  is  not  a  large  species,  as  it  rarely  exceeds 

S'8 


The  Bastard  Halibutt 


*o  Inches  in  length,  and  a  weight  of  5  pounds.  Examples  more 
than  12  or  15  inches  long  are  not  common. 

The  winter  flounder  is  very  prolific,  the  number  of  eggs 
produced  by  a  large  fish  being  more  than  a  million.  The  spawn- 
ing season  on  our  coast  is  from  February  to  April,  and  by  August 
the  young  fish  are  i  to  2  inches  in  length. 

The  flounder  fishery  is  carried  on  chiefly  during  the  winter 
and  spring  months,  large  quantities  being  taken.  As  a  food-fish 
the  winter  flounder  holds  a  very  high  rank;  the  flesh  is  white, 
firm,  and  of  excellent  flavour.  Next  to  the  halibut  it  is  the  most 
important  flatfish  of  our  Atlantic  Coast.  This  species  has  been 
more  extensively  propagated  than  any  other  member  of  the  family. 
The  United  States  Fish  Commission  obtains  the  eggs  at  Woods 
Hole  where  its  propagation  fills  in  the  time  between  the  taking 
of  the  cod  on  the  one  hand  and  the  lobster  on  the  other.  The 
number  of  fry  hatched  in  1900,  at  Woods  Hole,  exceeded 
87,000,000,  which  were  planted  at  various  points  along  the  New 
England  coast. 

The  body  of  this  flounder  is  regularly  elliptical,  the  colour 
and  eyes  are  on  the  right  side  and  the  upper  side  of  the  head 
is  covered  with  imbricated  ctenoid  scales  similar  to  those  of  the 
body;  blind  side  of  head  nearly  naked.  The  colour  above  is  dark 
rusty-brown,  either  plain  or  mottled  with  darker.  The  young  are 
olive-brown,  spotted  with  reddish;  the  under  parts  are  white. 


529 


Arctic  Flounder 


The  genus  Liopsetta  is  represented  by  2  species,  the  most 
important  of  which  is  known  as  the  Arctic  flounder,  L.  glacialis. 

This  small  flounder  is  found  in  Bering  Sea  on  both  shores, 
at  least  as  far,  south  on  the  American  side  as  Bristol  Bay.  Though 
small,  its  great  abundance  and  delicious  flavour  make  it  a  food- 
fish  of  much  importance. 

The  other  species,  L.  putnami,  is  the  eel-back  flounder.  It  is 
found  from  Cape  Cod  northward  at  least  to  Labrador.  It  is  a 


Starry  Flounder 

small  fish,  rarely  exceeding  a  foot  in  length,  but  is  often  seen 
in  the  markets.  Its  flesh  is  of  delicate  flavour  and  the  fish  finds 
a  ready  sale. 

The  genus  Platichthys  contains   a  single  species,  P.  stellatus, 
known  as  the  great  flounder  or  starry  flounder. 


This  species  occurs  on  the  Pacific  Coast  of  America  from 
middle  California  to  the  Arctic  Ocean;  and  south  on  the  Asiatic 
side  to  the  mouth  of  the  Amur  River.  Of  the  small-mouthed 
flounders  it  is  much  the  largest  species  known,  as  it  reaches  a 
weight  of  15  to  20  pounds.  It  is  an  excellent  food-fish,  and  from 
its  size  and  abundance  it  is  one  of  the  most  important  species 
in  the  region  where  found.  It  constitutes  fully  one-half  the 
total  catch  of  flounders  on  our  Pacific  Coast,  and  it  is  equally 
abundant  in  Bering  Sea.  It  lives  in  shallow  water  and  some- 
times ascends  the  larger  rivers. 

The  genus  Glyplocephalus  has  2  species  in  our  waters,  only 
one  of  which  is  of  importance.  This  is  the  pale  flounder  or 
craig  fluke,  C.  cynoglossus,  which  occurs  in  the  North  Atlantic, 
south  on  our  coast  to  Cape  Cod.  It  has  been  taken  in  great 
numbers  in  rather  deep  water,  on  sandy  bottom,  off  the  New 
England  coast.  Though  reaching  only  a  small  size,  rarely  a  foot 
or  1 8  inches  in  length,  this  flounder  is  an  excellent  food- fish 

53* 


Window  Pane 

By  many  it  is  said  to  be  not  inferior  to  the  European  sole. 
The  colour  is  grayish-brown,  the  fins  dark  spotted,  the  tips  of 
the  pectorals  dusky. 

In    the    genus    Lophopsetta   (Turbot  tribe)    we   have    a  single 
species,  L.  maculata,  known  popularly  as  the  window  pane.     It  is 


an  interesting  species,  occurring  on  our  Atlantic  Coast  from  Maine 
to  the  Carolinas.  It  attains  a  weight  of  I  to  2  pounds  or  less 
and  is  generally  common  on  sandy  bottom.  It  is  a  near  relative 
of  the  valuable  European  turbot  (Psetta  maxima). 


533 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS* 

Abdomen.     Belly. 

Abdominal.     Pertaining  to  the  belly;  said  of  the  ventral  fins  of  fishes  when  in« 

serted  considerably  behind  the  pectorals,  the  pelvic  bones  to  which  the 

ventral  fins  are  attached  having  no  connection  with  the  shoulder  girdle. 
Abortive.     Remaining  or  becoming  imperfect. 
Actinosts.     A  series  of  bones  at  the  base  of  the  pectoral  rays. 
Acuminate.     Tapering  gradually  to  a  point. 
Acute.     Sharp-pointed. 
Adipose  fin.     A  peculiar,  fleshy,  fin-like  projection  behind  the  dorsal  fin,  on  the 

backs  of  salmons,  catfishes,  etc. 
Air-bladder.    A  sac  filled  with  air,  lying  beneath  the  backbone  of  fishes,  corres- 

spending  to  the  lungs  of  higher  vertebrates. 

Alisphenoid.     A  small  bone  on  the  anterior  lateral  wall  of  the  brain  case. 
Amphiccelian.     Double-concave;  said  of  vertebrae. 

Anadromous.     Running  up;  said  of  marine  fishes  which  run  up  rivers  to  spawn. 
Anal.     Pertaining  to  the  anus  or  vent. 

Anal  fin.     The  fin  on  the  median  line  behind  the  vent,  in  fishes. 
Anchylosed.     Grown  firmly  together. 

Angular.     A  small  bone  on  the  posterior  end  of  the  mandible. 
Antrorse.     Turned  forward. 

Anus.     The  external  opening  of  the  intestine;  the  vent. 

Arterial  bulb.     The  muscular  swelling,  at  the  base  of  the  great  artery,  in  fishes. 
Articular.     The  bone  of  the  mandible  supporting  the  dentary. 
Articulate.     Jointed. 
Atlas.     The  first  vertebra. 
Atrophy.     Nondevelopment. 
Attenuate.     Long  and  slender,  as  if  drawn  out. 
Auditory  capsule.     The  ventrolateral  swelling  of  the  skull. 
Barbel.     An  elongated  fleshy  projection,  usually  about  the  head,  in  fishes. 
Basal.     Pertaining  to  the  base ;  at  or  near  the  base. 
Basibranchials.     A  lower  median  series  of  bones  of  the  branchial  arches. 
Basioccipital.     A  median  posterior  ventral  bone  of  the  skull  to  which  the  atlas 

is  attached. 
Basis  cranii.     Formed  by  shelves  of  bone  developed  from  the  inner  sides  of  the 

prootics  which  meet  and  form  a  roof  to  the  myodome  and  a  floor  to  the 

brain  cavity. 
Bicolour.     Two-coloured. 
Bicuspid.     Having  2  points. 

Brachial  ossicles.     Synonymous  with  actinosts,  q.  v. 
Branchiae.     Gills;  respiratory  organs  of  fishes. 
Branchial.     Pertaining  to  the  gills. 
Branchihyals.     Small  bones  at  base  of  gill  arches. 
Branchiostegals.     The  bony  rays   supporting    the   branchiostegal   membranes, 

under  the  head  of  a  fish,  below  the  opercular  bones,  and  behind  the  lower 

jaw. 

Buccal.     Pertaining  to  the  mouth. 
Caducous.     Falling  off  early. 
Ccecal.     Of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac. 

Caecum.     An  appendage  of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac,  connected  with  the  aliment- 
ary canal  at  the  posterior  end  of  the  stomach,  or  pylorus. 

*  In  the  preparation  of  this  Glossary  the  authors  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Edwin 
Chapin  Starks  for  valuable  assistance. 

533 


Glossary  of  Technical  Terms 

Canines.     The  teeth  behind  the  incisors— the  "eye-teeth;"  in  fishes,  any  coni- 
cal teeth  in  the  front  part  of  the  jaws,  longer  than  the  others. 
Cardiform  (teeth).     Teeth  coarse  and  sharp,  like  wool  cards. 
Carinate.     Keeled :  having  a  ridge  along  the  middle  line. 
Carotid.     The  great  artery  running  to  the  head. 
Catadromous.     Running  down;  said  of  fresh-water  species  which  run  down  to 

the  sea  to  spawn. 
Caudal.     Pertaining  to  the  tail. 

Caudal  fin.     The  fin  on  the  tail  of  fishes  and  whales. 
Caudal  peduncle.     The  region  between  the  anal  and  caudal  fins  in  fishes. 
Cavernous.     Containing  cavities,  either  empty  or  filled  with  a  mucous  secretion. 
Centrum.     The  body  of  a  vertebra. 
Cephalic  fins.     Fins  on  the  head  of  certain  rays;  a  detached  portion  of  the 

pectoral. 

Ceratobranchials.     Bones  of  the  branchial  arches  just  below  their  angle. 
Ceratohyal.     One  of  the  hyoid  bones. 
Chiasma.     Crossing  of  the  fibres  of  the  optic  nerve. 
Chin.     The  space  between  the  rami  of  the  lower  jaw. 
Ciliated.     Fringed  with  eyelash-like  projections. 
Cirri.     Fringes. 

Claspers.     Organs  attached  to  the  ventral  fins  in  the  male  of  sharks,  skates,  etc 
Clavicle.     The  collar  bone,  or  lower  anterior  part  of  shoulder  girdle,  not  entering 

into  socket  of  arm. 
Compressed.     Flattened  laterally. 
Condyle.     Articulating  surface  of  a  bone. 
Coracoid.     The  principal  bone  of  the  shoulder  girdle  in  fishes ;  otherwise  a  bone 

or  cartilage  on  the  ventral  side,  helping  to  form  the  arm  socket.     Synony- 
mous with  hypercoracoid,  q.  v. 
Cranial.     Pertaining  to  the  cranium  or  skull. 
Ctenoid.     Rough-edged;  said  of  scales  when  the  posterior  margin  is  minutely 

spinous  or  pectinated. 

Cycloid.     Smooth-edged ;  said  of  scales  not  ctenoid,  but  concentrically  striate. 
Deciduous.     Temporary;  falling  off. 
Decurved.     Curved  downward. 
Dentary.     The  principal  or  anterior  bone  of  the  lower  jaw  or  mandible,  usually 

bearing  the  teeth. 
Dentate.     With  tooth-like  notches. 
Denticle.     A  little  tooth. 
Depressed.     Flattened  vertically. 

Depth.     Vertical  diameter  (usually  of  the  body  of  fishes). 
Dermal.     Pertaining  to  the  skin. 
Diaphanous.     Translucent. 
Distal.     Remote  from  point  of  attachment. 
Dorsal.     Pertaining  to  the  back. 
Dorsal  fin.     The  fin  on  the  back  of  fishes. 
Emarginate.     Slightly  forked  or  notched  at  the  tip. 

Endoskeleton.     The  skeleton  proper;  the  inner  bony  framework  of  the  body. 
Enteron.     The  alimentary  canal. 

Epibranchiah.     The  bones  directly  above  the  angle  of  the  branchial  arches. 
Epihyal.     One  of  the  hyoid  bones. 
Epipleurals.     Rays  of  bone  attached  to  the  ribs  and  anterior  vertebras  usually 

touching  the  skin  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lateral  line. 
Erectile^.     Susceptible  of  being  raised  or  erected. 
Ethmoid.     A  median  anterior  bone  of  the  skull. 

Exoccipitals.     Two  bones  of  the  skull,  one  on  each  side  of  the  foramen  magnum. 
Exoskeleton.     Hard  parts  (scales,  scutes)  on  the  surface  of  the  body. 
Exserted.     Projecting  beyond  the  general  level. 
Extralimital.     Beyond  the  limits  (of  this  book). 
Facial.     Pertaining  to  the  face. 

534 


Glossary  of  Technical   Terms 

Falcate.     Scythe-shaped;  long,  narrow,  and  curved. 

Falciform.     Curved  like  a  scyth'e. 

Fauna.     The  animals  inhabiting  any  region,  taken  collectively. 

Femoral.     Pertaining  to  the  femur,  or  proximal  bone  of  the  hinder  leg. 

Filament.     Any  slender  or  thread-like  structure. 

Filiform.     Thread  form. 

Fontanel.     An  unossified  space  on  top  of  head  covered  with  membrane. 

Foramen.     A  hole  or  opening. 

Foramen  magnum.  The  aperture  in  the  posterior  part  of  the  skull  for  the  pass- 
age of  the  spinal  cord. 

Forehead.     Frontal  curve  of  head. 

Forficate.     Deeply  forked;  scissors-like. 

Fossae  (nasal) .     Grooves  in  which  the  nostrils  open. 

Frontal  bone.     Anterior  bone  of  top  of  head,  usually  paired. 

Fulcra.  Rudimentary  spine-like  projections  extending  on  the  anterior  rays  of 
the  fins  of  ganoid  fishes. 

Furcate.     Forked. 

Fusiform.  Spindle-shaped;  tapering  toward  both  ends,  but  rather  more  ab- 
ruptly forward. 

Ganglion.     A  nerve  centre. 

Ganoid.     Scales  or  plates  of  bone  covered  by  enamel. 

Gape.     Opening  of  the  mouth. 

Gill-arches.     The  bony  arches  to  which  the  gills  are  attached. 

Gill-openings.     Openings  leading  to  or  from  the  branchiae. 

Gillrakers.  A  series  of  bony  appendages,  variously  formed,  along  the  inner 
edge  of  the  anterior  gill-arch. 

Gills.     Organs  for  breathing  the  air  contained  in  water. 

Glabrous.     Smooth. 

Glossohyal.     The  tongue  bone. 

Graduated  (spines').  Progressively  longer  backward,  the  third  being  as  much 
longer  than  the  second  as  the  second  is  longer  than  the  first. 

Granulate.     Rough  with  small  prominences. 

Gular.     Pertaining  to  the  gula,   or  upper  foreneck. 

Haemal  arch.     An  arch  under  a  hasmal  spine  for  the  passage  of  a  blood  vessel. 

Hcemal  canal.     The  series  of  haemal  arches  as  a  whole. 

Haemal  spine.     The  lowermost  spine  of  a  caudal  vertebra,  in  fishes. 

Haemopophyses.  Appendages  on  the  lower  side  of  abdominal  vertebrae,  in 
fishes. 

Height.     Vertical  diameter. 

Heterocercal.  Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish  when  unequal;  the  backbone  evidently 
running  into  the  upper  lobe. 

Homocercal.  Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish  when  not  evidently  unequal;  the  backbone 
apparently  stopping  at  the  middle  of  the  base  of  the  caudal  fin. 

Humerus.     Bone  of  the  upper  arm. 

Hyoid.     Pertaining  to  the  tongue. 

Hyoid  apparatus.  Formed  by  a  series  of  bones  extending  along  the  inner  side 
of  the  mandible  and  supporting  the  tongue. 

Hyomandibular.  A  bone  by  which  the  posterior  end  of  the  suspensorium  is 
articulated  with  the  skull;  the  supporting  element  of  the  suspensorium, 
the  mandible,  the  hyoid  apparatus,  and  the  opercular  apparatus. 

Hypercoracoid.  The  upper  of  the  2  bones  attached  to  the  clavicle,  indirectly 
bearing  the  pectoral  fin. 

Hypleural.     The  modified  last  vertebra  supporting  the  caudal  fin. 

Hypobranchials.     Bones  of  the  branchial  arches  below  the  ceratobranchials. 

Hypocoracoid.     The  lower  of  the  2  bones  attached  to  the  clavicle  behind. 

Hypohyals.  Small  bones,  usually  4,  by  which  the  respective  sides  of  the 
hyoid  apparatus  are  joined. 

Imbricate.     Overlapping,  like  shingles  on  a  roof. 

Imperforate.     Not  pierced  through. 

S3  5 


Glossary  of  Technical   Terms 

Inarticulate.     Not  jointed. 

Incisors.     The  front  or  cutting  teeth. 

Inferior  pharyngeals.     Synonymous  with  pharyngeals,  q.  V. 

Infraoral.     Below  the  mouth. 

Interhcemal  spines.     Elements  supporting  the  anal  fin. 

Interhamals.     Bones  to  which  anal  rays  are  attached,  in  fishes. 

Interhyal.     Upper  hyoid  bone  attached  to  hyomandibular. 

Intermusculars.     Synonym  of  epipleurals,  q.  v. 

Interneural  spines.     Elements  supporting  the  dorsal  fins. 

Interspinous  bones.     The  interneurals  and  the  interhaemals. 

Intermaxillaries.     The  premaxillaries ;  the  bones  forming  the  middle  of  the  front 

part  of  the  upper  jaw,  in  fishes. 

Interneurals.     Bones  to  which  dorsal  rays  are  attached,  in  fishes. 
Interopercle.     Membrane  bone  between  the  preopercle  and  the^branchiostegals. 
Interorbital.     Space  between  the  eyes. 
Interspinals.     Bones  to  which  fin  rays  are  attached  (in  fishes) ;  inserted  between 

neural  spines  above  and  haemal  spines  below. 
Isocercal   (tail).     Last  vertebras  progressively  smaller  and  ending  in  median 

line  of  caudal  fin,  as  in  the  codfish. 
Jugular.     Pertaining  to  the  lower  throat;  said  of  the  ventral  fins,  when  placed 

in  advance  of  the  attachment  of  the  pectorals. 
Keeled.     Having  a  ridge  along  the  middle  line. 
Lacustrine.     Living  in  lakes. 

Lamellae.     Plate-like  processes  like  those  inside  the  bill  of  a  duck. 
Larva.     An  immature  form,  which  must  undergo  change  of  appearance  before 

becoming  adult. 

Lateral.     To  or  toward  the  side. 
Lateral  line.     A  series  of  muciferous  tubes  forming  a  raised  line  along  the  sides 

of  a  fish. 

Lateral  processes.     Synonym  of  parapophyses,  q.  v. 
Laterally.     Sidewise. 

Lunate.     Form  of  the  new  moon;  having  a  broad  and  rather  shallow  fork. 
Mandible.     Under  jaw. 
Maxilla,  or  maxillary.     Upper  jaw. 
Maxillaries.     Outermost  or  hindermost  bones  of  the  upper  jaw,  in  fishes;  they 

are  joined  to  the  premaxillaries  in  front,  and  usually  extend  farther  back 

than  the  latter. 

Lfesethmoid.     Synonym  of  ethmoid,  q.  v. 
fvlesopterygoid.     A  bone  of  the  suspensorium. 
iMetapterygoid.     A  bone  of  the  suspensorium,  or  chain  supporting  the  lower 

jaw. 

Molars.     The  grinding  teeth;  posterior  teeth  in  the  jaw. 
Muciferous.     Producing  or  containing  mucus. 
Myocomma.     A  muscular  band. 
Myodome.     Cavity  under  the  brain  for  the  reception  of  the  rectus  muscles  of  the 

eye. 

Nape.     Upper  part  of  neck,  next  to  the  occiput. 
Nares.     Nostrils,  anterior  and  posterior. 
Nasal.     Pertaining  to  the  nostrils. 
Nasal  plate.     Plate  in  which  the  nostrils  are  inserted. 
Neural  arch.     An  opening  through  the  base  of  the  neural  spine  for  the  passage 

of  the  spinal  cord. 

Neural  canal.     The  neural  arches  as  a  whole. 
Neural  processes.     Two  plates  rising  vertically,  one  on  each  side  of  the  centrum 

of  the  vertebra,  which  unite  toward  their  ends  and  form  a  spine. 
Neural  spine.     The  uppermost  spine  of  a  vertebra. 
Nictitating  membrane.     The  third  or  inner  eyelid  of  birds,  sharks,  etc. 
Notochord.     A  cellular  chord  which  in  the  embryo  precedes  the  vertebral  column. 
Nuchal.     Pertaining  to  the  nape  or  nucha. 

536 


Glossary  of  Technical  Term* 

Obsolete.     Faintly  marked;  scarcely  evident. 

Obtuse.     Blunt. 

Occipital.     Pertaining  to  the  occiput.  . 

Occipital  condyle.  That  part  of  the  occipital  bone  modified  to  articulate  with 
the  atlas. 

Occiput.     Back  of  the  head. 

Ocellate.     With  eye-like  spots,  generally  roundish  and  with  a  lighter  border. 

Oid  (suffix).     Like;  as  Percoid,  perch-like. 

Opercle,  or  operculum.  Gill-cover;  the  posterior  membrane  bone  of  the  side 
of  the  head,  in  fishes. 

Opercular  bones.     Membrane  bones  of  the  side  of  the  head,  in  fishes. 

Opercular  flap.  Prolongation  of  the  upper  posterior  angle  of  the  opercle,  in  sun- 
fishes. 

Opisthoccelian.  Concave  behind  only;  said  of  vertebrae  which  connect  by  ball- 
and-socket  joints. 

Opisthotic.  A  bone  of  the  skull  to  which  the  lower  limb  of  the  post-temporal 
usually  articulates. 

Orbicular.     Nearly  circular. 

Orbit.     Eye  socket. 

Osseous.     Bony. 

Ossicula  auditus.     Bones  of  the  ear,  in  fishes. 

Osteology.     Study  of  bones. 

Oviparous.  Producing  eggs  which  are  developed  after  exclusion  from  the  body, 
as  in  all  birds  and  most  fishes. 

Ovoviviparous.  Producing  eggs  which  are  hatched  before  exclusion,  as  in  the 
dogfish  and  garter  snake. 

Ovum.     Egg. 

Palate.     The  roof  of  the  mouth. 

Palatines.  Membrane  bones  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  i  on  each  side  extend- 
ing outward  and  backward  from  the  vomer. 

Palustrine.     Living  in  swamps. 

Papilla.     A  small  fleshy  projection. 

Papillose.     Covered  with  papillae. 

Parapophyses.  The  lateral  projections  on  some  of  the  abdominal  vertebrae  to 
support  ribs. 

Parasphenoid.  Bone  of  roof  of  mouth  behind  the  vomer.  Synonym  of  pre- 
f  rental. 

Parietal.     Bone  of  the  side  of  head  above. 

Parotic  process.  A  posterior  lateral  process  of  the  skull  formed  by  the  pterotic 
and  opisthotic. 

Pectinate.     Having  teeth  like  a  comb. 

Pectoral.     Pertaining  to  the  breast. 

Pectoral  fins.  The  anterior  or  uppermost  of  the  paired  fins,  in  fishes,  correspond- 
ing to  the  anterior  limbs  of  the  higher  vertebrates. 

Pelagic.     Living  on  or  in  the  high  seas. 

Pelvic  girdle.     The  bones  supporting  the  ventral  fins  or  pelvics. 

Pelvis.     The  bones  to  which  the  hinder  limbs  (ventral  fins  in  fishes)  are  attached. 

Perforate.     Pierced  through. 

Peritoneum.     The  membrane  lining  the  abdominal  cavity. 

Pharyngeal  bones.  Bones  behind  the  gills  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  oesopha- 
gus of  fishes,  of  various  forms,  almost  always  provided  with  teeth;  usually 
one  pair  below  and  two  pairs  above.  They  represent  a  fifth  gill-arch. 

Pharyngobranchials.  Upper  elements  of  the  branchial  arches,  usually  bearing 
teeth. 

Pharyngpgnathous.     Having  the  lower  pharyngeal  bones  united. 

Physoclistous.     Having  the  air-bladder  closed. 

Physostomous.  Having  the  air-bladder  connected  by  a  tube  with  the  alimentary 
canal. 

Pigment,    Colouring  matter. 

537 


Glossary  of  Technical   Terms 

Pineal  body.     A  small  ganglion  in  the  brain;  a  rudiment  of  an  optic  lobe,  which 

in  certain  lizards  (and  in  extinct  forms)  is  connected  with  a  third  or  median 

eye. 

Pituitary  body.     A  small  ganglion  in  the  brain. 
Plicate.     Folded;  showing  transverse  folds  or  wrinkles. 
Plumbeous.     Lead  colored;  dull  bluish  gray. 
Polygamous.     Mating  with  more  than  i  female. 
Postclavicle.     A  ray  composed  of  i   or  2  bones  attached  to  the  inner  upper 

surface  of  the  clavicle  and  extending  downward. 
Postorbital.     Behind  the  eye. 
Post-temporal.     The  bone,  in  fishes,  by  which  the  shoulder  girdle  is  suspended 

to  the  cranium. 

Pr&coracoid.     A  portion  of  coracoid  more  or  less  separated  from  the  rest. 
Prcecoracoid  arch.     An  arch  in  front  of  the  coracoid  in  most  soft-rayed  fishes. 
Prefrontals.     Bones  forming  lateral  projections  at  the  anterior  end  of  the  skull. 
Premaxillaries.     The  bones,  one  on  either  side,  forming  the  front  of  the  upper 

jaw  in  fishes.     They  are  usually  larger  than  the  maxillaries  and  commonly 

bear  most  of  the  upper  teeth. 
Premolars.     The  small  grinders;  the  teeth  between  the  canines    and  the  true 

molars. 

Preocular.     Before  the  eye. 
Preopercle.     The  membrane  bone  lying  in  front  of  the  opercle  and   more  or 

less  nearly  parallel  with  it. 

Preorbital.     The  large  membrane  bone  before  the  eye,  in  fishes. 
Proccelian.     Concave  in  front  only. 

Procurrent  (fin) .     With  the  lower  rays  inserted  progressively  farther  forward. 
Projectile.     Capable  of  being  thrust  forward. 

Prootic.  <#A  bone  forming  an  anterolateral  ossification  of  the  brain  case. 
Protractile.     Capable  of  being  drawn  forward. 
Proximal.     Nearest. 
Pseudobranchice.     Small  gills  developed  on  the  inner  side  of  the  opercle,  near  its 

junction  with  the  preopercle. 

Pterotic.     A  bone  at  the  posterior  lateral  process  of  the  skull. 
Pterygoids.     Bones  of  roof  of  mouth  in  fishes,  behind  the  palatines. 
Pubic  bones.     Same  as  pelvic  bones,  q.  v. 
Pubis.     Anterior  lower  part  of  pelvis. 
Pulmonary.     Pertaining  to  the  lungs. 
Punctate.     Dotted  with  points. 
Pyloric  caeca.     Glandular  appendages  in  the  form  of  blind  sacs  opening  into  the 

alimentary  canal  of  most  fishes  at  the  pylorus,  or  passage  from  the  stomach 

to  the  intestine. 
Quadrate.     A  bone  of  the  suspensorium  on  which  the  mandible  is  hinged. 

Quincunx.     Set  of  five  arranged  alternately,  thus  * 

*         * 

Radius.     Outer  bone  of  forearm. 

Ray.     One  of  the  cartilaginous  rods  which  support  the  membrane  of  the  fin  of 

a  fish. 

Recurved.     Curved  upward. 
Reticulate,     Marked  with  a  network  of  lines. 
Retrorse.     Turned  backward. 
Rudimentary.     Undeveloped. 
Rugose.     Rough  with  wrinkles. 

Sacral.     Pertaining  to  the  sacrum,  or  vertebrae  of  the  pelvic  region. 
Scapula.     Shoulder  biade;  in  fishes,  the  bone  of  the  shoulder  girdle  below  the 

post-temporal 

Scapular  arch.     Shoulder  girdle. 
Scute.     Any  external  bony  or  horny  plate. 
Second  dorsal.     The  posterior  or  soft  part  of  the  dorsal  fin,  when  the  two  parts 

are  separated. 

538 


Glossary  of  Technical  Terms 

Septum.     A  thin  partition. 

Serrate.     Notched,  like  a  saw. 

Sessile.     Without  a  stem  or  peduncle. 

Setaceous.     Bristly. 

Setiform.     Bristle-like. 

Shaft.     Stiff  axis  of  a  quill. 

Shoulder  girdle.     The  bony  girdle  posterior  to  the  head,  to  which  the  anterior 

limbs  are  attached  (post- temporal,  scapula,  and  coracoid  or  clavicle). 
Soft  dorsal.     The  posterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin  in  fishes,  when  composed  of  soft 

rays. 

Soft  rays.     Fin  rays  which  are  articulate  and  usually  branched. 
Spatulate.     Shaped  like  a  spatula. 
Sphenoid.     Basal  bone  of  skull. 
Sphenotic.     A  lateral  bone  of  the  skull. 
Spine.  Any  sharp  projecting  point ;  in  fishes  those  fin  rays  which  are  unbranched, 

inarticulate,  and  usually,  but  not  always,  more  or  less  stiffened. 
Spinous.     Stiff  or  composed  of  spines. 
Spinous  dorsal.     The  anterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin  when  composed  of  spinous 

rays. 

Spiracles.     Openings  in  the  head  and  neck  of  some  fishes  and  batrachians. 
Stellate.     Star-like;  with  radiating  ridges. 
Striate.     Striped  or  streaked. 

Sub  (in  composition).     Less  than;  somewhat;  not  quite;  under,  etc. 
Subcaudal.     Under  the  tail. 
Subopercle.     The  bone  immediately  below  the  opercle  (the  suture  connecting 

the  two  often  hidden  by  scales) . 
Suborbital.     Below  the  eye. 
Suborbital  stay.     A  bone  extending  from  one  of  the  suborbital  bones  in  certain 

fishes,  across  the  cheek,  or  toward  the  preopercte. 
Subulate.     Awl-shaped. 

Superciliary.     Pertaining  to  the  region  of  the  eyebrow. 
Superior  pharyngeals.     Synonym  of  pharyngobranchials,  q.  v. 
Supplemental  maxillary.     A  small  bone  lying  along  upper  edge  of  the  maxillary 

in  some  fishes. 

Supraclavicle.     A  bone  interposed  between  the  clavicle  and  the  post-temporal. 
Supraoccipital.     The  bone  at  posterior  part  of  skull  in  fishes,  usually  with  a 

raised  crest  above. 
Supraoral.     Above  the  mouth. 
Supraorbital.     Above  the  eye. 
Suprascapular.     The  post-temporal  or  bone  by  which  the  shoulder  girdle  in 

fishes  is  joined  to  the  skull. 

Suspensorium.     The  chain  of  bones  from  the  hyomandibular  to  the  palatine. 
Suspensory  bones.     Bones  by  which  the  lower  jaw,  in  fishes,  is  fastened  to  the 

skull. 

Suture.     The  line  of  union  of  2  bones,  as  in  the  skull. 
Symphysis.     Point  of  junction  of  the  2  parts  of  lower  jaw;  tip  of  chin. 
Symplectic.     The  bone  in  fishes  that  keys  together  the  hyomandibular  and 

quadrate  posteriorly. 

Synonym.     A  different  word  having  the  same  or  a  similar  meaning. 
Synonymy.     A  collection  of  different  names  for  the  same  group,  species,  or  thing; 

"A  burden  and  a  disgrace  to  science."     (Coues.) 
Tail.     In  fishes  (usually) ,  the  part  of  the  body  posterior  to  the  anal  fin.     (Often 

used  more  or  less  vaguely.) 

Temporal.     Pertaining  tc  the  region  of  the  temples. 
Terete.     Cylindrical  and  tapering. 
Terminal.     At  the  end. 

Tessellated.     Marked  with  little  checks  or  squares,  like  mosaic  work. 
Thoracic.     Pertaining  to  the  chest;  ventral  fins  are  thoracic  when  attached  im- 
mediately below  the  pectorals,  as  in  the  perch,  the  pelvic  bones  being 

fastened  tc  the  shoulder  girdle. 


Glossary  of  Technical  Term* 

Transverse.     Crosswise. 

Trenchant.     Compressed  to  a  sharp  edge. 

Truncate.     Abrupt,  as  if  cut  squarely  off. 

Tubercle.     A  small  excrescence,  like  a  pimple. 

Type  (of  a  genus).  The  species  upon  which  was  based  the  genus  to  which  it 
belongs. 

Type  (of  a  species).  The  particular  specimen  upon  which  the  original  specific 
description  was  based. 

Type  locality.  The  particular  place  or  locality  at  which  the  type  specimen  was 
collected. 

Typical.     Of  a  structure  the  most  usual  in  a  given  group. 

Ultimate.     Last  or  farthest. 

Unicolour.     Of  a  single  colour. 

Vent.     The  external  opening  of  the  alimentary  canal. 

Ventral.     Pertaining  to  the  abdomen. 

Ventral  fins.  The  paired  fins  behind  or  below  the  pectoral  fins  in  fishes,  corre- 
sponding to  the  posterior  limbs  in  the  higher  vertebrates. 

Ventral  plates.  In  serpents  or  fishes,  the  row  of  plates  along  the  belly  between 
throat  and  vent. 

Ventricle.     One  of  the  thick-walled  chambers  of  the  heart. 

Versatile.     Capable  of  being  turned  either  way. 

Vertebra.     One  of  the  bones  of  the  spinal  column. 

Vertical.     Up  and  down. 

Vertical  fins.  The  fins  on  the  median  line  of  the  body;  the  dorsal,  anal,  and 
caudal  fins. 

Villiform.  Said  of  the  teeth  of  fishes  when  slender  and  crowded  into  velvety 
bands. 

Viscous.     Slimy 

Viviparous.     Bringing  forth  living  young. 

Vomer.  In  fishes,  the  front  part  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth;  a  bone  seen  imme- 
diately behind  the  premaxillaries. 

Zygapophyses.  Points  of  bone  affording  to  the  vertebrae  more  or  less  definite 
articulation  with  each  other. 


540 


ARTIFICIAL  KEY  TO  THE   FAMILIES  OF  AMERICAN 
FOOD  AND  GAME   FISHES 

The  following  key  is  intended  simply  to  facilitate  the  identification  of  the 
species  of  American  fishes  which  are  used  as  food  or  which  are  sought  by  the 
angler.  No  attempt  is  made  to  indicate  the  natural  characters  or  relations  of 
the  families,  and  only  those  species  of  any  group  which  are  included  in  the  pres- 
ent work  are  taken  into  consideration. 

I.— VENTRAL   FINS   PRESENT,    ABDOMINAL 

A.  Back  with  an  adipose  fin  behind  the  single  rayed  dorsal  fin. 

B.  Head  with  4  to  8  long  barbels  about  the  mouth  and  nostrils;  body  scale- 

less;  a  single  spine  in  each  pectoral  and  in  the  dorsal  fin. 

Ill,   SILURID^E,    15 
BB.  Head  without  barbels  as  described  above. 

C.  Dorsal,  anal,  and  ventrals  each  with  a  small,  but  distinct  spine;  scales 

ctenoid XXIV,  PERCOPSID^S,  247 

CC.  Dorsal,  anal,  and  ventrals  without  spines. 

D.  Dorsal  fin  long  and  high,  of  about  24  rays XVI,  THYMALLID^E,  220 

DD.  Dorsal  fin  moderate,  of  fewer  than  20  rays. 

E.  Stomach  with  many  pyloric  coeca XV,  SALMONID^;,  116 

EE.  Stomach  with  few  pyloric  cceca;  size  small XVII,  ARGENTINID^E,  225 

A  A.  Back  without  adipose  fin. 

B.  Back  with  a  single  dorsal  fin  made  up  of  rays  and  not  preceded  by  a 

series  of  free  spines  or  followed  by  finlets. 

C.  Tail  evidently  strongly  heterocercal. 

D.  Body  naked;  snout  with  a  spatulate  blade;  mouth  wide,  without  barbels. 

I,  POLYODONTID^E,         I 

DD.  Body  with  5  series  of  body  shields;   mouth  inferior  toothless,   preceded 

by  4  barbels II,  ACIPENSERID.E,       4 

CC.  Tail  not  evidently  heterocercal. 

E.  Pectoral  fins  inserted  high,  near  axis  of  body;  lower  pharyngeals  united; 

lateral  line  along  sides  of  belly. 

F.  Jaws  each  with  long  sharp  teeth  mixed  with  smaller  ones. 

XX,  BELONID^E,   241 
FF.  Jaws  with  small  equal  teeth,  conic  or  tricuspid. 

G.  Lower  jaw  more  or  less  produced;  teeth  tricuspid. 

XXI,  HEMIRAMPHID.*,  242 
GG.  Lower  jaw  a  little  produced;  teeth  conic;  pectorals  elongate,  forming  an 

organ  of  flight XXII,  EXOCCETID^E,  243 

EE.  Pectoral  fins  inserted  below  axis  of  body ;  lower  pharyngeals  separate. 
H.  Gill-membranes  broadly  joined  to  the  isthmus;  head  naked;  no  teeth  in 

jaws. 
/.  Lower  pharyngeal  teeth  very  numerous,  in  i  row  like  the  teeth  of  a  comb. 

(Suckers.) IV,  CATOSTOMID^B,    36 

//.  Lower  pharyngeal  teeth  few,    fewer   than    8,  in  i  to  3  rows.     (Carp; 

Chubs;   Minnows.) V,  CVPRINID^;,    67 

HH.  Gill-membranes  free  from  the  isthmus. 
K.  Head  scaly,  more  or  less. 

L.  Teeth  cardiform;  jaws  depressed,   prolonged XIX,   ESOCID.E,   233 

LL.  Teeth  villiform;  jaws  short;  no  lateral  line XVIII,  DALLIID^E,  232 

KK.  Head  naked. 

M.  Gular  plate  present IX,  ELOPID/E.    84 

MM.  Gular  plate  none 


Artificial  Key  to  the  Families  of  American  Food  and  Game  Fishes 

AT.     Lateral  line  well  developed. 
O.  Teeth  present,  no  accessory  branchial  organ. 
P.  Mouth  small,  horizontal;  posterior  part  of  tongue  and  roof  of  mouth 

covered   with    coarse-paved   teeth X,    ALBULID^;,      88 

PP.  Mouth  large,  the  teeth  all  pointed,  some  of  them  canine,  none  paved  or 

molar XI,   HIODONTID^E,     90 

OO.  Teeth  none ;  an  accessory  branchial  organ  behind  gill  cavity. 

XII,  CHANID^E,     94 
7V7V.  Lateral  line  wanting;  no  gular  plate. 

Q.  Mouth  moderate,  terminal,  the  maxillary  of  about  3  pieces;  stomach  not 

gizzard-like XIII,   CLUPEID^;,     95 

QQ.  Mouth  subinferior,  very  large,  below  a  tapering,  pig-like  snout;  maxillary 

very  long XIV,  ENGRAULIDVE,  112 

BB.  Dorsal  fins  2,  the  anterior  of  spines  only,  the  posterior  chiefly  of  soft  rays. 
R.  Pectoral  fin  with  5  to  8  lowermost  rays  detached  and  filamentous. 

XXVIII,  POLYNEMID^,  261 
RR.  Pectoral  fin  entire. 

S.  Teeth  strong,  unequal;  lateral  line  present.  .  .  .XXVII,  SPHYR^ENID^E,  258 
55.  Teeth  small  or  wanting;  lateral  line  obsolete. 

T.  Dorsal  spines  4,  stout;  anal  spines  3 XXVI,  MUGILID^E,  250 

TT.  Dorsal  spines  4  to  8,  slender;  anal  spine  single.  .XXV,  ATHERINID^E,  248 
BBB.  Dorsal  fin  soft-rayed,  followed  by  a  series  of  detached  finlets. 

XXIII,    SCOMBRESOCID^E,     246 

II.— VENTRAL  FINS  PRESENT,  THORACIC  OR  SUB-JUGULAR,  THE 
NUMBER  OF  RAYS  DEFINITELY  I,  5 

A.  Body  more  or  less  scaly  or  armed  with  bony  plates. 

B.  Suborbital  with  a  bony  stay  which  extends  across  the  cheek  to  or  towards 

the  preopercle;  cheek  sometimes  entirely  mailed. 

C.  Slit  behind  fourth  gill  small  or  wanting LXVI,  SCORP^NID^E,  495 

CO.  Slit  behind  fourth  gill  large;  body  scaled. 

D.  Nostril  single  on  each  side,  a  small  pore  above  it;  dorsal  fin  continuous. 

LXVIII,  HEXAGRAMMID^;,  499 

DD.  Nostrils  2  on  each  side;  dorsal  fins  2 LXVII,  ANOPLOPOMID.E,  498 

BB.  Suborbital  stay  wanting;  cheeks  not  mailed. 

E.  Dorsal  spines  all  or  nearly  all  disconnected  from  each  other. 

F.  Body    elongate,    spindle-shaped XL,    RACHYCENTRID^E,    323 

FF.  Body  oblong  or  ovate,  compressed XXXVIII,  CARANGID^E,  296 

EE.  Dorsal  spines  (if  present)  all,  or  most  of  them,  connected  by  membrane. 

G.  Pectoral  fin  with  4  to  9  lowermost  rays  detached  and  filiform. 

XXVIII,  POLYNEMID^E,   261 

GG,  Pectoral  fin  entire. 
H.  Dorsal  and  anal  each  with  i  or  more  detached  finlets. 

/.  Anal  preceded  by  2  free  spines XXXVIII,  CARANGID^E,  296 

II.  Anal  not  preceded  by  2  free  spines XXXII,  SCOMBRID^E,  272 

HH.  Dorsal  and  anal  without  finlets. 

J.  Lateral  line  armed  posteriorly  with  a  series  of  keeled  plates;  2  free  anal 
spines;  gill-membranes  free  from  isthmus. 

XXXVIII,  CARANGID^;,  296 

JJ.  Lateral  line  armed  posteriorly  with  a  sharp,  movable,  lancet-like  spine,  or 
with  a  few  bony  tubercles;  scales  small,  rough;  gill  membranes  ad- 
herent to  isthmus LXIII,  TEUTHIDID^E,  486 

JJJ.  Lateral  line  unarmed. 

K.  Throat  with  2  long  barbels  (placed  just  behind  chin)  ;  dorsal  fins  2. 

XXXI,    MULLID^E,    268 

KK.  Throat  without  long  barbels. 

L.  Anal  fin  preceded  by  2  free  spines  (these  obsolete  in  the  very  old,  joined 

by  membrane  in  the  very  young). 
M.  Preopercle  entire;  teeth  moderate  if  present. XXXVIII,  CARANGID^E,  296 

54* 


Artificial  Key  to  the  Families  of  American  Food  and  Game  Fishes 
MM.  Preopercle  serrate;  teeth  unequal,  some  of  them  very  strong. 

XXXIX,  POMATOMID^E,     320 

LL.  Anal  fin  not  preceded  by  free  spines. 

N.  Nostril  single  on  each  side;  lateral  line  interrupted;  lower  pharyngeals 
united. 

O.  Anal  spines  3  to   n.     Fresh-water  fishes LVIII,  CICHLID^E,  475 

NN.  Nostrils  double  on  each  side. 

P.  Lateral  line  extending  to  tip  of  middle  rays  of  caudal. 
Q.  Anal  spines  3,  the  second  strong. 
R,  Dorsal  fins  2,  separate;  body  elongate.  .  .  .XLVII,  CENTROPOMID^G,  368 

RR.  Dorsal  fins  continuous LII,  H^EMULID^E,  420 

QQ.  Anal  spines  i  or  2,  the  second  large  or  small.  .  .  .LVI,  SCI^NID^E,  454 
PP.  Lateral  line  not  extending  beyond  base  of  caudal  fin. 
5.  Gills  3 1,  the  slit  behind  the  last  very  small  or  wanting. 
T.  Teeth  in  each  side  of  each  jaw  united,  forming  a  sort  of  beak. 

LX,  SCARID^:,  480 
TT.  Teeth  distinct  or  nearly  so,  the  anterior  usually  more  or  less  canine. 

LIX,   LABRID^E,  476 
SS.  Gills  4,  a  long  slit  behind  the  fourth. 

U.  Teeth  setiform,  like  the  teeth  of  a  brush;  body  elevated,  longer  than  deep, 
the  soft  fins  completely  scaled;  gill-membranes  attached  to  the 
isthmus. 

V.  Dorsal  fin  continuous LXIII,  CH^TODONTID^;,  484 

VV.  Dorsal  fin  divided LXII,  ILARCHID.E,  482 

UU.  Teeth  not  setiform. 
W.  Premaxillaries  excessively  protractile,  their  basal  process  very  long,  in  a 

groove  at  top  of  cranium LIV,  GERRID^E,  445 

WW '.  Premaxillaries  moderately  protractile  or  not  protractile. 

X.  Lower  pharyngeals  united;  scales  large;  anal  fin  with  3  spines  and  more 
than  15  soft  rays;  preopercle  entire.  (Viviparous  fishes  of  the 

Californian  fauna) LVII,   EMBIOTOCID.E,  469 

XX.  Lower  pharyngeals  separate. 

Y.  Pseudobranchiag  wanting  or  covered  by  skin. 

Z.  Dorsal  fin  of  soft  rays  only,  beginning  as  a  crest  on  the  head;  caudal 

widely  forked.     Pelagic  fishes XLI,    CORYPH^ENID^;,  324 

ZZ.  Dorsal  fin  with  spines  anteriorly,  not  beginning  on  the  head.     Fresh- 
water fishes. 

a.  Anal  spines  3  to  10 XLV,  CENTRARCHID^,  332 

aa.  Anal  spines  i  or  2 ;  body  oblong  or  elongate;  length  less  than  8  inches. 

XLVI,  PERCID^E,  360 
YY.  Pseudobranchiae  developed. 

b.  Spinous  dorsal  of  2  or  3  short  spines  only;  anal  without  spines;  scales 

small,  smooth XLVIII,  SERRANID.E,  370 

ft1.  Dorsal  fin  continuous,  the  spines  few  and  slender.. LXIX,  LATILID^E,  504 
bbl.  Dorsal  fin  not  as  above 
bb.  Spinous  dorsal,  if  present,  not  as  above 

c.  Perch-like  fishes,  the  caudal  peduncle  not  very  slender,  the  scales  well 

developed,  ctenoid  or  cycloid;  the  dorsal  with  distinct  spines; 
the  anal  with  at  least  i  spine,  its  soft  rays  usually  few. 

d.  Maxillary  not  sheathed  by  the  preorbital,  or  only  partially  covered  by  the 

edge  of  the  latter;  ventral  with  its  accessory  scale  very  small  or 
wanting;  pectoral  without  accessory  scale;  sheath  at  base  of 
spinous  dorsal  little  developed;  vomer  usually  with  teeth;  opercle 
usually  ending  in  a  spine. 

e.  Anal  spines  2  or  i ;  pseudobranchiae  small ;  preopercle  with  a  hdok-like 

spine  below;  vertebras  increased  in  number  (30  to  46).  Fresh- 
water fishes XLVI,  PERCID^;,  360 

ee.  Anal  spines  3,  never  2  nor  i ;  dorsal  fin  continuous  or  divided;  vertebras  24 
to  35- 

543 


Artificial  Key  to  the  Families  of  American  Food  and  Game  Fishes 

/.  Vomer,  and  usually  palatines  also,  with  teeth. 

g.  Anal  fin  shorter  than  dorsal;  head  not  everywhere  covered  with  rough 
scales;  postocular  part  of  head  not  shortened. 

XLVIII,  SERRANID^E,  370 

gg.  Anal  fin  scarcely  shorter  than  dorsal  and  similar  to  it;  head  and  body 
everywhere  covered  with  rough  scales;  body  deep,  compressed, 

the  posterior  part  of  head  shortened L.  PRIACANTHIDVE,  401 

//.  Vomer  without  teeth;  dorsal  fin  continuous;  body  deep,  compressed. 

XLIX,  LOBOTID^E,  400 

dd.  Maxillary  slipping  for  most  of  its  length  under  the  edge  of  the  preorbital, 
which  forms  a  more  or  less  distinct  sheath ;  ventrals  with  an  acces- 
sory scale;  opercle  without  spines;  maxillary  without  supplemen- 
tal bone;  anal  spines  3,  rarely  2. 
h.  Fishes  carnivorous;  intestines  of  moderate  length;  teeth  in  jaws  not  all 

incisor-like;  vertebrae  usually  24  or  25. 
i.  Vomer  with  teeth,  these  sometimes  very  small ;  maxillary  long. 

LI,  LUTIANID^E,  403 

ii.  Vomer  without  teeth;  palatines  and  tongue  toothless. 
j.  Teeth  on  sides  of  jaws  not  molar;  maxillaries  formed  essentially  as  in  the 

Serranidae;  preopercle  mostly  serrate LII,  HJEMULIDJE,  420 

jj.  Teeth  on  sides  of  jaws  molar;  maxillaries  peculiar  in  form  and  in  articu- 
lation; anterior  teeth  conical  or  else  more  or  less  incisor-like;  pre- 
opercle entire LIII,  SPARID^;,  436 

hh.  Fishes  herbivorous;  intestinal  canal  elongate;  anterior  teeth  in  jaws  in- 
cisor-like; no  molars  or  canines;  premaxillaries  moderately  pro- 
tractile   LV,  KYPHOSID^,  450 

cc.  Mackerel-like  fishes,  with  the  caudal  peduncle  usually  very  slender,  the 
fin  widely  forked,  the  scales  various,  usually  not  ctenoid;  the  dor- 
sal spines  various,  anal  fin  long. 

k.  Dorsal  spines  numerous,  most  of  them  produced  in  long  filaments;  pec- 
torals very  long XXXVII,  NEMATISTIID^E,  294 

kk.  Dorsal  spines  mostly  low,  not  more  than  2  of  them  filamentous.. 
/.  Dorsal  fin  divided,  the  spines  6  to  12  in  number. 

XXXIX,  POMATOMID.E,  320 

//.  Dorsal  spines  3  or  4,  the  fin  not  divided XLIII,  BRAMID^E,  327 

AA.  Body  scaleless,  smooth  or  armed  with  tubercles,  prickles,  or  scattered 

bony  plates. 

B.  Anal  preceded  by  2  free  spines  (these  lost  with  age;  connected  by  mem- 
branes in  the  very  young) XXXVIII,  CARANGID^E,  296 

BB.  Anal  without  free  spines XXXII,  SCOMBRID^;,  272 

III.— VENTRAL   FINS    PRESENT,    THORACIC   OR  JUGULAR,   THE   NUMBER 
OF  RAYS  NOT   DEFINITELY  I,  5 

A.  Eyes  unsymmetrical,  both  on  the  same  side  of  head. 

LXXII,  PLEURONECTID^;,  520 
AA.  Eyes  symmetrical,  one  on  each  side  of  the  head. 

B.  Ventral  rays  with  or  without  spine,  the  number  of  soft  rays  more  than  5. 

C.  Tail  isocercal,  the  vertebrae  progressively  smaller  to  base  of  caudal;  ven- 

trals jugular;  no  spines  in  any  of  the  fins. 

D.  Jaws  and  vomer  with  strong  canines;  second  dorsal  and  anal  deeply 

notched;  no  barbel LXX,  MERLUCCIID^E,  507 

DD.  Jaws  and  vomer  without  distinct  canines;  chin  usually  with  a  barbel. 

LXXl,  GADID.E,  508 
CC.  Tail  not  isocercal,  the  last  vertebrae  not  reduced  in  size. 

E.  Ventral  rays  about  15;  dorsal  fin  single,  elevated  .XLII,  LAMPRIDID^E,  326 
EE.  Ventral  rays  I,  6  to  I,  10;  dorsal  with  spines. 

F.  Body  covered  with  firm  serrated  scales;  anal  spines  4;  dorsal  spines  not 

elevated XXX,  HOLOCENTRID^,  264 

544 


Artificial  Key  to  the  Families  of  American  Food  and  Game  Fishes 

FF.  Body  uniformly  covered  with  cycloid  scales;  dorsal  spines  mostly  very 

high  and  filamentous XXXVII,  NEMATISTIID^E,  294 

BB.  Ventral  fins  with  or  without  spine,  the  number  of  soft  rays  fewer  than  5. 
G.  Upper  jaw  not  prolonged  into  a  sword. 
H.  Dorsal  fin  with  some  spines  or  simple  rays. . . .  XXXIII,  LEPIDOPID^E,  289 

HH.  Dorsal  fins  of  soft  rays  only LXXIV,  GADHX*,   508 

GG.   Upper  jaw  prolonged  into  a  bony  sword;  dorsal  fin  long  and  high;  size 
large XXXV,  ISTIOPHORID^E,  291 

IV  —VENTRAL  FINS  WHOLLY  WANTING 

A.  Premaxillary  and  maxillary  wanting  or  grown  fast  to  the  palatines;  body 

greatly  elongate,  eel-shaped;  gill-openings  restricted  to  the  sides; 
scales  minute  or  wanting;  scapular  arch  not  attached  to  the  skull. 
Eels. 

B.  Gill-openings  well-developed;  tongue  present. 

C  Skin  covered  with  rudimentary  embedded  scales,  usually  linear  in  form, 
arranged  in  small  groups,  and  placed  obliquely  at  right  angles  to 
those  of  the  neighbouring  groups;  pectorals  and  vertical  fins  well 
developed,  the  latter  confluent  about  the  tail;  lateral  line  present; 
posterior  nostril  in  front  of  eyes;  tongue  with  its  margins  free. 

VI,  ANGUILLID^E,     76 
CC.  Scales  wholly  wanting;  eggs  (so  far  as  known)  of  moderate  size,   much 

as  in  ordinary  fishes VII,  LEPTOCEPHALID^E,       81 

BB.  Gill-openings  small;  no  tongue VIII,  MUR^ENID^E.  82 

A  A.  Premaxillary  and  maxillary  present,  often  immovably  united  to    rest 
of  cranium. 

B.  Gill-membranes  broadly  united  to  the  isthmus,  restricting  the  gill-open- 

ings to  the  sides. 

C.  Teeth  in  each  jaw  confluent  into  one LXVI,  MOLID^E,  492 

CC.  Teeth  separate;  body  enveloped  in  a  bony  box..LXIV,  OSTRACIID^E,  489 

BB.  Gill-membranes  free  from  the  isthmus. 

E.  Caudal  fin  wanting;  body  naked,  greatly  elongate. 

XXXIV,  TRICHIURID/E,  290 
EE.  Caudal  fin  present. 

F.  Upper  jaw  prolonged  into  a  sword;  size  very  large 

XXXVI,  XIPHIID*,  293 
FF.  Upper  jaw  not  prolonged  into  a  sword. 

G.  Belly  with  a  series  of  bony  scutes  along  its  edge;  body  much  compressed. 

XIII,  CLUPEID^E,  95 
GG.  Belly  not  armed  with  scutes. 

H.  Body  ovate,  much  compressed XLIV,  STROMATEID^,  328 

HH.  Body  oblong  or  elongate,  much  longer  than  deep. 

XXIX,  AMMODYTID<E,  263 


545 


INDEX 


Abadejo,  393 

abbotti,  Osmerus  mordax,  230 

Abepna  aurora,  470 

minima,  470 

abildgaardi,  Sparisoma,  480 
Acantharchus  pomotis,  338 
Acanthocybium,  288 

splandri,  288 
Acipenser,  5 

brevirostris,  12 

medirostris,  7 

rubicundus,   10 

sturio,  8 

transmontanus,  5 
Acipenseridae,  4 
aculeatus,  Stenotomus,  438 
acutus,  Fodiator,  243 
adscensionis,  Epinephelus,  383 
adspersus,  Tautogolabrus,  476 
aeglefinus,  Melanogrammus,  516 
aestivalis,  Pomolobus,  104 
afer,  Alphestes,  388 
agassizii,  Cratinus,  395 

Hyperprosopon,  470 

Salvelinus,  210 

aggregatus,  Cymatogaster,  471 
Agonostpmus  monticola,  256 
agua-bonita,  Salmo,  201 
Aguaji,  392 
Aguja  Blanca,  292 
Agujon,  241 
Agula  Volador,  291 
Akule,  303 
Alabama  Shad,  108 
alabamse,  Alosa,  108 
alalunga,  Germo,  282 
alascanus,  Ammodytes,  263 

Argyrosomus,  135 
Alaska  Codfish,  515 

Dab,  528 

Green-fish,  501 

Pollack,  510 
Albacore,  Great,  279 
Albacores,   The,   282 
albiguttus,    Paralichthys,   527 
Albula  vulpes,  88 
Albulidse,  88 
album,  Haemulon,  422 

Moxostoma,  61 


Alectis  ciliaris,  308 
Alewives,  101 
alipes,  Salvelinus,  212 
alletterata,   Gymnosarda,  278 
Almejero,  Mojarra,  422 
Alosa,  104 

alabamap,  108 

sapidissima,  105 
alosoides,  Hiodon,  91 
Alphestes  afer,  388 

multiguttatus,  388 
Ama-ama,  94 
Amarilla,  Chopa,  442,  452 

Pargo,  409 

Ronco,  426. 

Salmonete,  271. 
Amber-fish,  301 
Amber-fishes,  299 
Amber-jack,  301 
Ambloplites,  338 

rupestris,  339 

amblyrhynchus,    Hemicaranx,    303 
Ameiurus  catus,  16,  25,  -^5 

dugesi,  23,  35 

lacustris,  20,  24 

lividus,  25 

melas,  30 

natalis,  25 

nebulosus,  16,  26 

platycephalus,  31 

pricei,  16 

vulgaris,   26 
American  Perch,  366 

Pike-perches,  360 

Saibling,  213 

Shad,  105 

Smelt,  229 

Americana,  Cherna*  385 
americana,  Morone,  377 
americanus,  Ammodytes,  263 

Esox,  234 

Menticirrhus,  464 

Pseudopleuronectes,  528 
Amia  calva,  xxxv 
Ammodytes  alascanus,  263 

americanus,  263 

personatus,  263 
Ammpdytidae,  263 
Amphistichus  argenteus,  472 


547 


Index 


amplus,  Tetrapturus,  292 
analis,  Hypocritichthys,  471 

Lutianus,  412,  413 
analogus,  Epinephelus,  382 

Kyphosus,  452 
Anchovia,  112 

brownii,  113 

delicatissima,   113 

macrolepidota,  114 

mitchilli,  114 
Anchovies,  112 

Silvery,  112 
Anchovy,  California,  115 

Little,  114 

Striped,  113 

Western,  113 
andrei,  Pomadasis,  433 
Angel,  Black,  484 

Yellow,  485 
Angel-fish,  482 

Blue,  485 

Anguilla  chrisypa,  76 
anguilla,  Ictalurus,  22 
Anguillidse,  76 
Anisotremus,  430 

surinamensis,  431 

virginicus,  431 
anisurum,  Moxostoma,  62 
annularis,  Pomoxis,  334 
Anoplopoma  fimbria,  498 
Anoplopomidse,  498 
Aplodinotus  grunniens,  467 
apodus,  Lutianus,  409 
Apomotis,  342 

cyanellus,  343 

symmetricus,  344 
approximans,  Polydactylus,  261 
Apsilus  dentatus,  418 
apua,  Mycteroperca,  392 
arseopus,  Pantosteus,  46 
aratus,  Lutianus,  415 
Archoplites  interruptus,  341 
Archosargus,  441 

probatocephalus,  442 

unimaculatus,  441 
Arctic  Charr,  213 

Flounder,  530 

Grayling,  201 
arctifrons,  Calamus,  440 
arcturus,  Pomacanthus,  484 

Salvelinus,  213 
ardens,  Catostomus,  52,  55 
arenatus,  Priacanthus,  401 
argentea,  Sphyraena,  260 
argenteus,  Amphistichus,  472 

Hyperprosopon,  471 

Trachinotus,  317 
Argentinidse,  225 
argentiventris,  Lutianus,  409 


Argyrosomus,  130 

alascanus,  135 

artedi,  132 

bisselli,  142 

hoyi,  136 

lucidus,  137 

nigripinnis,  139 

osmeriformis,   131 

prognathus,  138 

pusillus,  137 

sisco,  134 

tullibee,  140 

argyrosomus,    Damalichthys,  473 
arizonae,  Pantosteus,  45 
Arnillo,  418 
Arrayado,  424 
Arrow-toothed  Halibut,  522 
artedi,  Argyrosomus,  132 
ascensionis,   Holocentrus,   266 
aspera,  Limanda,  528 
Aspistor,  15 

Atheresthes  stomias,  522 
Atherina  laticeps,  248 
Atherinidae,  248 
atherinoides,  Chriodorus,  242 

Notropis,  xli 
Atka  Mackerel,  499 
atlanticus,  Tarpon,  85 
atripes,  Phanerodon,  472 
atromaculatus,  Semotilus,  xli,  75 
auratus,  Mullus,  268 
aureolum,  Moxostoma,  61,  63 
aureolus,  Gerres,  448 

Salvelinus,  213 
auritus,  Lepomis,  346 
aurolineatum,  Bathystoma,  428 
aurora,  Abeona,  470 
aurorubens,  Rhomboplites,  417 
austrinum,  Moxostoma,  61 
Auxis,  276 
Awa;  94 

axillaris,  Brachydeuterus,  432 
aya,  Lutianus,  410 
azurea,  Hermosilla,  451 

Bacalao,  393 

Bachelor,  334 

Baggit,  163 

Bagre,  35 

bahianus,  Teuthis,  488 

Bairdiella,  460 

Bait  Minnows,  xxxv 

bajonado,  Calamus,  439 

Balaos,  242 

balsanus,  Istlarius,  16,  35 

Banana-fish,  88 

Banded  Pickerel,  234 

Banklick  Bass,  336 

barbatus,  Mullus,  269 


548 


Inde; 


Barbero  Negro,  487 
Barberos,  486 
Barbers,  486 
Barbu,  261 
Barbudo,  261 
Barfish,  336 
Barracuda,  Great,  259 
barracuda,  Sphyrsena,  259 
Barracudas,  The,  258 
bartholomsei,  Carangus,  305 
Bashaw  Cat,  33 
Bass,  Bayou,  358 

Black,  355 

Banklick,  336 

Calico,  333,  335 

Grass,  336,  358 

Green,  358 

Lake,  358 

Large-mouthed   Black,  357 

Marsh,  358 

Moss,  358 

Oswego,  358 

Otsego,  123 

Slough,  358 

Small-mouthed  Black,  355 

Straw,  357 

Strawberry,  336 

Striped,  372 

Rock,  339  i 

White,  372 

White  Lake,  372 

Yellow,  376 
Basses,  332 

Black,  355 

Rock,  338 
Bastard  Margaret,  424 

Halibuts,  526 

Weakfish,  459 
bathcecetor,  Salmo,  183 
Bathystoma,  428 

aurolineatum,  428 

rimator,  428 

striatum,  429 
Baya,  392 

bayanus,  Pomadasis,  433 
Bayou  Bass,  358 
beardsleei,  Salmo,  193 
Belonidae,  241 
Benimasu,  158 
Bergall,  477 
Berggylt,  477 
Bermuda  Catfish,  289 

Chub,  453 
Beshow,  498 

bicaudalis,  Ostracion,  490 
Bielaya  Ryba,  154 
Big-eye,  402 
Big-eyed  Herring,  87,  103 

Scad,  303 


Big-jawed  Sucker,  64 
Big-mouth,  69 
Big-mouthed  Buffalo,  40 
bilinearis,  Merluccius,  507 
Billfish,  241,  292 
bipinnulatus,  Elagatis,  301 
bisselli,  Argyrosomus,  142 
Bissell's  Whitefish,   142 
Bitterhead,  336 
Black  Angel,  484 
Blackback,  122 
Black  Bass,  xlix,  355 

Buffalo,  40 

Bullhead,  30 

Drum,  466 

Grouper,  385,  392 

Grunt,  424,  425 
Black-fin  Snapper,  409 

Whitefish,  139 
Blackfish,  232,  397,  477 
Black-Harry,  397 
Blackhorse,  44 
Black  Jewfish,  386 

Perch,  472 

Rockfish,  497 

Sea-bass,  37,  397 
Black-Will,  397 
Blanca,  Aguja,  292 
Blanco,  Burro,  432,  433 

Chopa,  453,  463 

Liza,  254 

Ronco,  424,  425,  433 
Blanquillos,  504 
Bloater  Whitefish,  137 
Blowfish,  361 
Blue  Angel-fish,  485 

Bream,  349 

Cat,  17 

Cod,  502 

Herring,  101 

Mullet,  61 

Parrot-fish,  480 

Perch,  472,  477 

Pike,  362 

Sunfish,  349 

Tang,  486 
Blueback,  132,  156 

Herring,  132 

Mullet,  254 

Salmon,  155 

Trout,  217 

Trout  of  Crescent  Lake,  193 
Bluefish,  California,  460 

Common,  320 
Bluefishes,  320 
Bluegill,  349 
Blue-headed  Sucker,  46 
Blue-spotted  Sunfish,  343 
Boar  Grunt,  426 


549 


Index 


Bobo,  257 

Boca  Colorado,  427 
Boccaccio,  497 
Bocona,  Sardina,  114 
Bodeiron,  501 
Bonaci  Arara,  392 

Cardenal,  392 

de  Piedra,  391 

Gato,  394 

bonaci,  Mycteroperca,  392 
bonariense,  Haemulon,  424 
Bonefish,  88 
Bonitos,  282 
Bony-fish,  86 
Boohoo,  291 
borealis,  Sphyrasna,  260 
Boregat,  501 

boulengeri,  Mycteroperca,  391 
bouvieri,  Salmo,  187 
Bowback,  123 
bowersi,  Mycteroperca,  394 
Box-head,  69 
Brachydeuterus  axillaris,  432 

corvinseformis,  432 

leuciscus,  432 

nitidus,  432 

Brachygenys  chrysargyreus,  429 
Brachyistius  frenatus,  471 
Brama  rail,  327 
Bramidas,  327 
Branch  Herring,  103 
branicki,  Pomadasis,  433 
brasilianus,  Gerres,  449 
brasiliensis,  Mugil,  251 
Bream,  440,  495 

Blue,  349 

Red-breasted,  346 
breviceps,  Moxostoma,  61,  64 
brevimanus,  Gerres,  449 
brevirostris,  Acipenser,  12 

Chasmistes,  55 

Cololabis,  246 
Brevoortia,  108 

tyrannus,  109 
Broad  Whitefish,    121 
Brook  Trout,  207 
Brown  Cat,  31 
brownii,  Anchovia,  113 
bubalus,  Ictiobus,  40 
buccanella,  Lutianus,  409 
bucco,  Moxostoma,  61 
,  Buffalo,  43 

Big-mouthed,  40 

Black,  40 
Euffalo  Cod,  502 

Fishes,  38 

Mongrel,  40 

Red-mouthed,  40 

Small-mouthed,  40 


Buffalo  Cod,  White,  40 
Buffaloes,  36 
Bullhead,  Black,  30 

Common,  26 
Bullpout,  26 
Bull  Redfish,  461 
Bumper  Casabe,  312 
Burrito,  433 
Burro  Blanco,  432 
Burros,  432 
Butterfish,  330 
Butter-fishes,  328 
Butterfly-Fishes,  484 

caballus,  Carangus,  306 
Cabellerote,  407 
Cabra  Mora,  383 
Cabrilla,  384 

de  Astillero,  392 

Mero,  394 

Pinta,  382 

Piritita,  393 

Spotted,  396 
Cachicata,  426 
Cachucho,  419 
caeruleus,  Teuthis,  486 
Cagon  de  lo  Alto,  417 
Caji,  409 
Calamus,  438 

arctifrons,  440 

bajonado,  439 

calamus,  438 

leucosteus,  440 

penna,  440 

proridens,  439 
Calico  Bass,  333,  335 

Salmon,  151 
California  Anchovy,  115 

Bluefish,  460 

Flying-fish,  244 

Herring,  99 

Jewfish,  377 

Pompano,  329 

Redfish,  479 

Sardine,  100 

Tomcod,  512 

White  Sea-Bass,  458 

Whiting,  465 

Yellowtail,  300 
californicus,  Cypsilurus,  243,  244 

Paralichthys,  526 
californiensis,  Eucinostomus,  446 

Medialuna,  453 
callarias,  Gadus,  513 
calliura,  Mycteroperca,  394 
Calotomus  xenodon,  481 
calva,  Amia,  xxxv 
camelopardalis,  Mycteroperca,  395 
Campbellite,  334 


550 


Index 


canadense,  Stizostedion,  363 

canadus,  Rachycentron,  323 

Candil,  265,  266 

Candlefish,  227 

cantharinus,  Orthopristis,  434 

Cantilena,  Mojarra,  446 

Capelin,  226 

Capitan,  478 

Carangidae,  296 

Carangoides  orthogrammus,  308 

Carangus,  304 

bartholomsei,  305 

caballus,  306 

crysos,  306 

guara,  307 

hippos,  306 

latus,  306 

lugubris,  307 

marginatus,  306 

medusicola,  307 

melampygus,  307 

ruber,  305 

vinctus,  305 
Caranx  speciosus,  308 
carbonarium,  Haemulon,  425 
Carbonero,  Ronco,  425 
Carolina  Whiting,  465 
carolinus,  Trachinotus,  317 
Carp,  Lake,  42  ^ 

Carp  Sucker,  41,  42,  43 
carpip,  Carpiodes,  42 
Carpiodes,  41,  44 

carpio,  42 

cyprinus,  43 

difformis,  42 

thompsonii,  42 

tumidus,  42 

velifer,  43 

caryi,  Hypsurus,  473 
Casabe,  312 
Casabes,  312 
Castilla,  Xurel  de,  312 
Catalufas,  401 
Cat,  Bashaw,  33 

Blue,  17 

Brown,  31 

Channel,  16,  22 

Eel,  22 

Flannel-mouth,  20 

Flatheaded,  31 

Florida,  20 

Granny,  33 

Little  Yellow,  34 

Mississippi,  17 

Mud,  32 

Opelousas,  33 

Pieded,  33 

Potomac,  25 

Russian,  33 


Cat,  Schuylkill,  26 

Spoon-bill,  i 

Spotted,  21 

Stone,  34 

White,  25 

Willow,  22 

Yellow,  25,  33 
Catfish,  Bermuda,  289 

Common,  26 

Great  Lake,  24 
Catfishes,  15 
Cathorops,  15 
catostomi,  Ligula,  52 
Catostomidse,  36 
Catostomus,  45,  46 

ardens,  52,  55 

catostomus,  49 

commersonii,  51 

griseus,  48 

latipinnis,  47 

macrocheilus,  50 

occidentalis,  50 

pocatello,  53 

rostratus,  46 

catostomus,  Catostomus,  49 
Cats,  Mud,  31 
catus,  Ameiurus,  16,  25,  35 
caudilimbatus,  Leptocephalus,  81 
Caulolatilus,  504 
caurinus,  Mylocheilus,  72 
Cavalla,  287,  306 
cavalla,  Scomberomorus,  287 
Caviar,  8 

cayennensis,  Trachinotus,  319 
Centrarchidae,  332 
Centrarchus  macropterus,  337 
Centropomidae,  368 
Centroppmus  parallelus,  369 

undecimalis,  368 

viridis,  368 
Centropristes  ocyurus,  397 

philadelphicus,  398 

rufus,  398 

striatus,  397 
cephalus,  Mugil,  252 
Cerp,  287 

cervinum,  Moxostoma,  61 
Chasnobryttus  gulosus,  342 
Chosnomugil  proboscideus,  256 
Chsetodipterus  faber,  482 

zonatus,  482 
Chsetodontidae,  484 
chalceus,  Orthopristis,  434 
chalcogrammus,  Theragra,  510 
champeleonticeps,   Lopholatilus,  504 
Chanidae,  94 
Channel-bass,  461 
Channel  Cats,  16,  22 
Channomuraena,  83 


551 


Index 


Chanps  chanos,  94 
Chapin,  490 
Chappaul,  69 
Charr,  Arctic,  213 

European,  212 

Greenland,  212 

Long-finned,  212 
Charrs,  206 
Chasmistes,  54,  57 

brevirostris,  55 

copei,  56 

liorus,  54 

stomias,  56 
Chateaugay  Shad,  122 
Chautauqua  Muskallunge,  239 
Cherna,  385,  388 

Americana,  385 

Criolla,  384 

de  lo  Alto,  382 

de  Vivera,  385 
chilensis,  Sarda,  283 
China,  Mojarra,  449 
Chino,  Escolar,  419 
Chinook  Salmon,  151 
Chinquapin  Perch,  334 
Chiro,  87 

Chirostoma  humboldtianum,  248 
Chivey,  122 
Chloroscombrus  chrysurus,  312 

orqueta,  312 
Chogset,  476 
Chopa  Amarilla,  442,  453 

Blanca,  453,  463 

Spina,  440 
Chopas,  452 
Chopper,  40 

Chorististium  rubrum,  377 
Chriodorus  atherinoides,  242 
chrisypa,  Anguilla,  76 
chrysargyreus,  Brachygenys,  429 
chrysocmoris,  Pomolobus,  101 
chrysops,  Roccus,  372 

Stenotomus,  437 
chrysopterum,  Sparisoma,  480 
chrysopterus,  Orthopristis,  434 
chrysurus,  Chloroscombrus,  312 

Ocyurus,  416 
Chub,  69,  75,  358,  453,  463 

Bermuda,  453 

Columbia,  72 

Common,  75 

Creek,  75 

Indian,  71 

River,  71 

Storer's,  xli 

Utah  Lake,  70 
Chub  Mackerel,  276 

Sucker,  59 
Cichlasoma,  475 


Cichlidae,  475 
Cichlids,  475 
ciliaris,  Alectis,  308 

Holacanthus,  485 
cinereum,  Xystaema,  447 
Cisco,  Mooneye,  136 

of  Lake  Tippecanoe,  134 
Ciscoes,  130 

cismontarms,  Coregonus,  120 
Citula  dorsalis,  308 
clarki,  Pantosteus,  46 
clarkii,  Salmo,  176 
clathratus,  Paralabrax,  396 
Clupanodon,  99 

cceruleus,  100 

pilchardus,  101 

pseudohispanicus,  100 
Clupea,  96 

harengus,  96 

mirabilis,  99 

pallasii,  99 
Clupeidse,  95 

clupeiformis,   Coregonus,   123 
Coal-fish,  323,  498,  509 
Cobbler-fish,  308 
Cobia,  323 
Cocinero,  306 
Cod,  Blue,  502 

Buffalo,  502 

Cultus,  502 

Green,  509 

Land,  24 
Codfish,  Alaska,  515 

Common,  513 
Codfishes,  508,  512 
cceruleus,  Clupanodon,  100 
Coho,  154 

collapsum,  Moxostoma,  61 
Cololabis  brevirostris,  246 
Colorado,  Boca,  427 

Pargo,  410,  413 

Loro,  480 

Pescado,  461 
Colorado,  Lutianus,  413 
Colorado  River  Trout,  186 
Colorubia,  416 
Columbia  Chub,  72 

River  Salmon,  151 

Sturgeon,  5 

Sucker,  50 

Columbia  transmontana,  247 
Common  Atlantic  Salmon,  163 

Bluefish,  320 

Buffalo-fish,  39 

Bullhead,  26 

Catfish,  26 

Chub,  75 

Codfish,  513 

Cowfish,  490 


552 


Inde: 


Common  Drum,  466 

Eastern  Pickerel,  235 

European  Hake,  507 

Flatfish,  528 

Greenling,  502 

Grunt,  426 

Halibut,  523 

Herring,  96 

Mullet,  252 

Pike,  236 

Pollack,  509 

Pompano,  317 

Redhorse,  63 

Scup,  437 

Shad,  105 

Sheepshead,  442 

Silverside,  xli 

Sturgeon,  8 

Sucker,  51 

Sunfish,  353 

Sunfishes,  344 

Trunk-fish,  490 

Weakfish,  456 

Whitefish,  123 

concolor,  Scomberomorus,  284 
Cone-head  Minnow,  72 
Conejo,  289 
Conger  Eel,  81 
conger,  Leptocephalus,  81 
Congermuraena,  81 
congestum,  Moxostoma,  61 
conocephalus,  Mylopharodon,  72 
conus,  Moxostoma,  61 
Cony,  380 

copei,  Chasmistes,  56 
Copper-nosed  Sunfish,  349 
Corcobado,  310 
Coregoninae,  116 
Coregonus,  117 

cismontanus,  120 

clupeiformis,  123 

coulterii,  119 

kennicotti,  121 

labradoricus,  123 

nelsonii,  130 

quadrilateralis,  122 
richardsonii,   121 
syrok,  130 
williamsoni,  119 
coregonus,  Moxostoma,  61 
cornutus,  Notropis,  xxxv,  xli 
Corocoro,  423 
Coronado,  301 

corporalis,  Semotilus,  xli,  73 
Corvina,  459 

corvinaeformis,  Brachydeuterus,  432 
Coryphsena  equisetis,  324 

hippurus,  324 
Coryphsenidae,  324 
Cotoro,  481 


Cotoro  Verde,  480 
coulterii,  Coregonus,  119 
Coulter's  Whitefish,  119 
Cowfish,  Common,  490 
Crab-eater,  323 
Cracker,  Shell,  352 
Craig  Fluke,  531 
Crappie,  334 
Crappies,  332 

crassilabre,  Moxostoma,  63 
Cratinus  agassizii,  395 
Cravo,  326 
Creek  Chub,  75 
crescentis,  Salmo,  191 
crestonis,  Teuthis,  487 
Criolla,  Cherna,  384 
Criollo,  Pargo,  412 
Cristivomer,  203 

namaycush,  203 

siscowet,  205 
Croaker,  White,  455 
Croakers,  454,  463 
crocro,  Pomadasis,  433 
Crocus,  468 
cromis,  Pogonias,  466 
Croppie,  334 
cruentatus,  Petrometopon,  380 

Priacanthus,  401 

crumenophthalmus,  Trachurops,  303 
crysos,  Carangus,  306 
cubensis,  Hynnis,  309 
culveri,  Trachinotus,  316 
Cultus  Cod,  502 
Gunner,  or  chogset,  476 
curema,  Mugil,  254 
Cutlas  Fishes,  290 
Cutlips,  65 

Cut-throat  Trout,  176 
cyanellus,  Apomotis,  343 
cyanoguttatus,  Heros,  475 
cyanopterus,  Lutianus,  407 
Cycleptus  elongatus,  44 
Cymatogaster  aggregatus,  471 
cynoglossus,  Glyptocephalus,  5^T 
Cynoscion,'  455 

macdonaldi,  460 

nebulosus,  457 

nobilis,  458 

nothus,  459 

parvipinnis,  460 

regalis,  456 

reticulatus,  459 
cypho,  Xyrauchen,  58 
cyprinella,  Ictiobus,  39 
Cyprinidae,  xxxv,  67 
cyprinus,  Carpiodes,  43 
Cypsilurus  californicus,  243,  244 


Dab,  Alaska,  528 


553 


Index 


Dab,  Rusty,  528 

Dace,  Horned,  75 

Dajaos,  256 

Dallia  pectoralis,  232 

Dalliidse,  232 

Damalichthys  argyrosomus,  473 

Dark-green  Parrot-fish,  481 

decagrammus,    Hexagrammos,   501 

Decapterus  macarellus,  302 

punctatus,  302 
declivifrons,  Salmo,   184 
delicatissima,  Anchovia,  113 
Delta  Whitefish,  121 
Deltistes  luxatus,  57 
Demon,  John,  334 
dentatus,  Apsilus,  418 

Paralichthys,  526 

Upeneus,  271 
dentex,  Osmerus,  230 
Dermatolepis  zanclus,  389 
diaphanus,  Fundulus,  xli 
difformis,  Carpiodes,  42 
dimidiata,  Mycteroperca,  393 
Diplectrum  formosum,  399 
Diplodus  holbrooki,  444 
Doctor-fish,  486 
Dog  Salmon,  150 

Snapper,  408 
Dollardee,  349 
Dollarfish,  330 
Dolly  Varden  Trout,  210 
dolomieu,  Micropterus,  355 
Dolphins,  324 
Dorada,  Mojarra,  308 
Dore,  361 
dorsalis,  Citula,  308 

Seriola,  300 

Vomer,  309 
Dory,  361 

John,  495 

dowi,  Eucinostomus,  446 
Doydixodon  freminvillei,  451 
Drum,  468 

Black,  466 

Common,  466  * 

Freshwater,  468 

drummond-hayi,  Epinephelus,  385 
Dublin  Pond  Trout,  210 
ductor,  Naucrates,  298 
dugesi,  Ameiurus,  23,  35 
dumerili,  Seriola,  301 
duquesnii,  Placopharynx,  64 

Ecaille,  Grand,  85 
Echidna,  83 
Eel-back  Flounder,  530 
Eel  Cat,  22 
Eel,  Common,  81 
Sand,  263 


Eels,  76 

Elagatis  bipinnulatus,  301 

elassodpn,  Hippoglossoides,  525 

El  Capitan,  478 

elegans,  Kyphosus,  453 

elongatus,  Cycleptus,  44 

Menticirrhus,  465 

Ophidion,  502 
Elopidse,  84 
Elops  saurus,  86 
Embiotoca  jacksoni,  472 
Embiotocidae,  469 
embryx,  Gerres,  449 
Enchelycore,  83 
Engraulidse,  112 
Engraulis  mordax,  115 
Enjambres,  380 
ensis,  Sphyraena,  259 
Eopsetta  jordani,  524 
Ephippus  gigas,  483 
Epinephelus,  381 

adscensionis,  383 

analogus,  382 

drummond-hayi,  385 

flavolimbatus,  383 

guaza,  383 

guttatus,  384 

labriformis,  383 

morio,  385 

mystacinus,  382 

niveatus,  384 

striatus,  384 

equisetis,  Coryphaena,  324 
Erimyzon  sucetta,  59 
Escolar  Chino,  419 
Escolars,  289 
Eslopsarum,  249 
Esocidse,  233 
Esox,  233 

americanus,  234 

immaculatus,  240 

lucius,  236 

masquinongy,  237 

ohiensis,  239 

reticulatus,  235 

vermiculatus,  234 
Espada,  293 
Etelis  oculatus,  419 
Eucinostomus,  445 

califprniensis,  446 

dowi,  446 

gula,  446 

harengulus,  446 

pseudogula,  446 
Eulachon,  227 
Euleptorhamphus,  242 
Eupomotis,  350 

euryorus,  351 

gibbosus,  353 


554 


Index 


Eupomotis  heros,  354 

holbrooki,  352 

pallidus,  351 
European  Charr,  212 

Turbot,  532 

euryorus,  Eupomotis.  351 
exilis,  Lyopsetta,  524 
Exoccetidae,  243 
Exocoetus  volitans,  243 

faber,  Chaetodipterus,  482 
Fair-maid,  437 
falcata,  Mycteroperca,  393 
falcatus,  Trachinotus,  315 
Fallfish,  73 
Fathead,  479 
Felichthys,  15 
ferruginea,  Limanda,  528 
Fiatolas,  328 

fimbria,  Anoplopoma,  498 
Fine-scaled  Sucker,  46 
Fishes  of  the  King,  248 
Flag,  Spanish,  497 
Flamenco,  413 
Flammeo  marianus,  267 
Flannel-mouth  Cat,  20 

Sucker,  31 
Flasher,  400 
Flatfish,  Common,  528 
Flatheaded  Cat,  31 
flavescens,  Perca,  128,  365 
flavidus,  Sebastodes,  497 
flaviguttatum,  Lythrulon,  429 
flavolimbatus,  Epinephelus,  383 
flavolineatum,  Hsemulon,  427 
flavus,  Noturus,  34 
Flier,  337 
Florida  Cat,  20 
Flounder,  Arctic,  530 

Eel-back,  530 

Four-spotted,  528 

Great,  53 1 

Gulf,  527 

Pale,  531 

Southern,  527 

Starry,  531 

Summer,  526 

Winter,  528 
Flounders,  520 
Fluke,  Craig,  531 
Fly  Casting,  xliii 

Fishing,  xliii 

Flying-fish,  California,  244 
Flying-fishes,  243 
Fodiator  acutus,  243 
fontinalis,  Salvelinus,  207 
forbesi,  Orthppristis,  433 
formosum,  Diplectrum,  399 
Four-spotted  Flounder,  528 


Francesca,  87 

freminvillei,  Doydixodon,  451 
frenatus,  Brachyistius,  471 
French  Grunt,  427 
Freshwater  Drum,  468 

Herring,  73 

Mullets,  36 

Skipjack,  101 
Frere-jacques,  265 
Frostfish,  122,  511 
fucensis,  Theragra,   510 
Fundulus  diaphanus,  xli 
furcatus,  Ictalurus,  17,  24 

Phanerodon,  472 

gabonensis,  Vomer,  310 
Gadidae,  508 
Gadus,  512 

callarias,  513 

macrocephalus,  515 
Gaff-topsail  Pampano,  314 
Gag,  392 

gaimardianus,  Mugil,  255 
gairdneri,  Salmo,  190 
Galapagos  Mullet,  254 
Galeichthys,  15 
Garlopa,  394 
garmani,  Lepomis,  347 
Garrupa,  394 
Garrupa  nigrita,  386 
Gaspereau,  103 
Gaspergou,  468 
gemma,   Hypoplectrus,  395 
generosus,  Pantosteus,  45 
Germo,  202 
Germo  alalunga,  282 
Gerres,  447 

aureplus,  448 

brasilianus,  449 

brevimanus,  449 

embryx,  449 

lineatus,  449 

mexicanus,  449 

olisthostomus,  448 

peruyianus,  448 

plumieri,  449 

rhpmbeus,  448 
Gerridae,  445 

gibbosus,  Eupomotis,  353 
gibbsii,  Salmo,  179 
gigas,  Ephippus,  483 

Stereolepis,  377 
gilberti,  Salmo  irideus,  201 
Girella  nigricans,  451 
glacialis,  Liopsetta,  530 
gladius,  Psephurus,  I 

Xiphias,  293 
Glance-fish,  326 
glaucus,  Trachinotus,  314 


555 


Index 


Glut  Herring,  104 
Glyptocephalus  cynoglossus,  531 
Goatfishes,  270 
Goatfish,  Red,  270 

Yellow,  271 
Goggle-eye,  334,  339 
Goggle-eyed  Jack,  303 
Goggler,  303 

Golden   Trout    of    Mount   Whitney, 

201 

goodei,  Trachinotus,  316 
Goody,  463 

gorbuscha,  Oncorhynchus,  149 
Goujon,  32 

Gourd-seed  Sucker,  44 
Grand  Ecaille,  85 
Granny  Cat,  33 
Grass  Bass,  336,  358 

Pike,  234 

Porgy,  440 

Grayback  Herring,  132 
Gray  Grunt,  423 

Perch,  468 

Snapper,  407 
Grayling,  xlix,  220 

Arctic,  221 

Michigan,  222 

Montana,  223 
Graylings,  220 
Great  Bear  Lake  Herring,  137 

Flounder,  531 

Lake  Catfish,  24 

Lakes  Pike,  236 

Lake  Trout,  203 

Northern  Pike,  240 

Pike,  238 

Pompano,  316 
Greenback  Herring,  132 

Trout,  188 
Green  Bass,  358 

Cod,  509 

Mullet,  61 

Pike,  235,  361 

Sturgeon,  7 

Sunfish,  343 

Trout,  358 
Green-fish,  451 

Alaska,  501 
Greenland  Charr,  212 

Halibut,  522 

Turbot,  522 

Greenling,  Common,  502 
Greenlings,  499 
Grilse,  163 
griseus,  Catostomus,  48 

Lutianus,  407 
Grouper,  Black,  386,  392 

Nassau,  384 

Red,  385 


Grouper,  Snowy,  384 

Yellow-finned,  383,  391 
Groupers,  381 

grunniens,  Aplodinotus,  467 
Grunt,  Black,  424 

Boar,  426 

Common,  426 

French,  427 

Gray,  423 

Margaret,  422 

Open-mouthed,  427 

Red-mouth,  428 

Striped,  423 

White,  426,  429 

Yellow,  426 
Grunts,  420,  421 
Guacamaia,  481 
guacamaia,  Pseudoscarus,  481 
Guachanche,  259 

Pelon,  259 

guachancho,,  Sphyrsena,  259 
Guachinango,  Pargo,  410 
guara,  Carangus,  307 
Guarapucu,  288 
Guaseta,  388 
guaza,  Epinephelus,  383 
Gudlax,  326 
Guebucu,  291 
Gueule,  Petite,  446 
gula,  Eucinostomus,  446 
Gulf  Flounder,  527 
guntheri,  Hoplopagrus,  404 
guttatus,  Epinephelus,  384 

Lutianus,  413 

Percopsis,  247 

guzmaniensis,  Pantosteus,  46 
Gymnosarda  alleterata,  278 

pelamis,  278 
Gymnothorax  mordax,  83 

moringa,  83 

Haddo,  150 

Haddock,  Jerusalem,  326 

Norway,  495 
Haddocks,  516 
Hsemulidse,  420 
Hasmulon,  421 

album,  421 

bonariense,  424 

carbonarium,  425 

flavolineatum,  427 

macrostomum,  423 

melanurum,  425 

parra,  424  * 

plumieri,  426 

sciurus,  426 

scudderi,  425 

sexfasciatum,  421 

steindachneri,  425 


556 


Index 


Hake,  Common  European,  507 

New  England,  507 

Silver,  507 
Hakes,  507 
Half-beaks,  242 
Halibut,  Arrow-toothed,  522 

Common,  523 

Greenland,  522 

Little,  522 

Monterey,  526 
Halibuts,  Bastard,  526 
Hamlet,  384 
Hannahill,  397 
haplognathus,  Lepomis,  348 
Hardhead,  190 
Hard  Tail,  306 
Hare-lip  Sucker,  65 
harengulus,  Eucinostomus,  446 
harengus,  Clupea,  96 
Harvest-fish,  329,  330 
Hayho,  151 
Head-Fishes,  492 
Hemdurgan,  495 

Hemicaranx  amblyrhynchus,  303 
Hemiramphidse,  242 
henshawi,  Salmo,  180 
hepatus,  Teuthis,  487 
Hermosilla  azurea,  451 
Heros  cyanoguttatus,  475 
heros,  Eupomotis,  354 
Herring,  Big-eyed,  87,  103 

Blue,  101 

Blueback,  132 

Branch,  103 

California,  99 

Common,  96 

Fresh-water,  73 

Glut,  104 

Grayback,  132 

Great  Bear  Lake,  137 

Greenback,  132 

Lake,  132 

Rainbow,  230 

Rocky  Mountain,  120 

Summer,  104 

Tailor,  102 

Toothed,  91 

True,  96 

Lake,  130 
Herrings,  95 
Hexagrammidse,  499 
Hexagrammos,  501 

decagrammus,  501 

lagocephalus,  502 

octogrammus,  501 

stelleri,  502 

superciliosus,  502 
Hickory  Shad,  18,  102 
Highback  Whitefish,  123 


Hind,  Red,  384 

Speckled,  385 
Hiodon  alosoides,  91 

selenops,  93 

tergisus,  92 
Hiodontidse,  90 
Hippoglossoides  elassodon,   525 

platessoides,  525 

rufus,  266 

Hoopid  Salmon,  154 
Hoplopagrus  guntheri,  404 
Horned  Dace,  75 

Pout,  26 
Hornyhead,  71 
Horse-eye  Jack,  306 
Horsefish,  63,  309 
Horsehead,  311 
hospes,  Mugil,  255 
Houndfish,  241 
hoyi,  Argyrosomus,  136 
hudsonius,   Notropis,  xli 
humboldtianum,  Chirostoma,  248 
humeralis,  Paralabrax,  396 
hippoglossoides,  Reinhardtius,  522 
Hippoglossus  hippoglossus,  523 
hippos,  Carangus,  306 
hippurus,  Coryphsena,  324 
Hogfish,  434,  478 
Holacanthus  ciliaris,  485 

tricolor,  484 
holbrooki,  Diplodus,  444 

Eupomotis,  352 
Holconotus  rhodoterus,  472 
Holia,  150 
Holocentridse,  264 
Holocentrus  ascensionis,  266 
humilis,  Lepomig,  348 
Humpback,  123 

Salmon,  149 

Sucker,  58 

Whitefish,  130 
Hybopsis  kentuckiensis,  xli,  71 

storerianus,  xli 
Hynnis  cubensis,  309 

hopkinsi,  309 
Hyperprosopon  agassizii,  471 

argenteus,  471 
Hypocritichthys  analis,  471 
Hypomesus  olidus,  231 

pretiosus,  231 
Hypoplectrus  lamprurus,  395 

gemma,  395 

unicolor,  395 

Hyporhamphus  roberti,  242 
Hypsurus  caryi,  473 
Hysterocarpus  traski,  470 

Ictalurus,  17 
anguilla,  22 


557 


Index 


Ictalurus,  furcatus,  17,  24 

meridionalis,  15,  23 

punctatus,  21 
Ictiobus,  37,  41,  43,  44 

bubalus,  40 

cyprinella,  39 

meridionalis,  41 

urus,  40 
Ilarchidse,  482 
immaculatus,  Esox,  240 
imperator,  Tetrapturus,  292 
incilis,  Mugil,  254 
incisor,  Kyphosus,  453 
Incpnnu,  142 
Indian  Chub,  71 

Fish,  342,  484 
Indian  River  Permit,  315 
interrupta,  Morone,  376 
interruptus,  Archoplites,  341 
interstitialis,  Mycteroperca,  393 
irideus,  Salmo,  195 
Irish  Pompano,  448 
Istiophoridae,  291 
Istiophorus  nigricans,  291 
Istlarius  balsanus,  16,  35 
itaiara,  Promicrops,  387 

Jaboncillo,  385 
Jack,  235,  306,  361 
Jack,  Goggle-eyed,  303 

Horse-eye,  306 
Jack  Salmon,  361 
Jackfish,  237 
jacksoni,  Embiotoca,  472 
jacobus,  Myripristis,  265 
japonicus,  Scomber,  276 
Jeniguana,  425 
Jenny,  Silver,  446 
Jerker,  71 

Jerusalem  Haddock,  326 
Jewfish,  Black,  386 

California,  377 
Jewfishes,  37 
Jimmy,  444 
Jocu,  408 

jocu,  Lutianus,  408 
John  Demon,  334 

Dory,  495 

Mariggle,  87 
Johnny-verde,  396 
John-paw,  385 
Jolt-head  Porgy,  439 
jordani,  Eopsetta,  524 

Lutianus,  407 

Mycteroperca,  392 

Pantosteus,  45,  46 

Salmo,  182 
Jordan's  Trout,  182 
Jorobado,  310 


Josea,  254 
Joturo,  257 
Joturus  pilchardi,  257 
Jumping  Mullet,  61 
Jump-rocks,  61 
June  Sucker,  52 

of  Utah  Lake,  54 
Jurel,  306 

Kahptu,  56 

kamloops,   Salmo,    192 

Kamloops  Trout,  192 

Kelts,  167 

Kennerly's  Salmon,  156 

kennicotti,  Coregonus,  121 

kentuckiensis,  Hybopsis,  xli,  71 

Kern  River  Trout,  201 

keta,  Oncorhynchus,  150 

King  Salmon,  151 

King,  Sliver,  85 

Kingfish,  286,  287,  465 

Kingfishes,  464 

Kipper,  163 

kisutch,  Oncorhynchus,  154 

Klamath  Lake  Sucker,  55 

Krasnaya  Ryba,  156 

Kyphosidae,  450 

Kyphosus  analogus,  452 

elegans,  453 

incisor,  453 

lutescens,  453 

sectetrix,  453 

Labidesthes  sicculus,  xxxv,  249 

Labrador  Whitefish,  123 

labradoricus,  Coregonus,  123 

Labridae,  476 

labriformis,  Epinephelus,  383 

Lac  de  Marbre  Trout,  218 

lacera,  Lagochila,  66 

Lachnolaimus  maximus,  478 

lacustris,  Ameiurus,  20,  24 

Lady-fish,  88 

Lafayette,  463 

lagocephalus,  Hexagrammos,  502 

Lagochila  lacera,  66 

Lagodon,  440 

Lagodon  rhomboides,  440 

Lake  Bass,  358 

Carp,  42 

Herring,  130,  132 

Silverside,  249 

Sturgeon,  n 

Tahpe  Trout,  180 
lalandi,  Seriola,  301 
Lamplighter,  336 
Lampridse,  326 
Lampris  luna,  326 
lamprurus,   Hypoplectrus,  395 


558 


Inde* 


Lancet-fish,  486 

Land  Cod,  24 

Landlocked  Salmon,  169 

Lane  Snapper,  414 

Lant,  263 

La  Queche,  91 

Large-mouthed  Black  Bass,  357 

Large-scaled  Sucker,  63 

lateralis,  Tseniotoca,  472 

laticeps,  Atherina,  248 

Latilidas,  504 

latipinnis,   Catostomus,  47 

latus,  Carangus,  306 

Lauia,  480 

Launces,  Sand,  263 

Lauretta  Whitefish,   137 

Least  Whitefish,  137 

Leather-Jacks,  297 

Lebrancho,  251 

lefroyi,  Ulaema,  447 

Leisotomus  xanthurus,  462 

Lekai  Salmon,  151 

Lcpidopidae,  289 

Lcpomis,  344 

auritus,  346 

garmani,  347 

haplognathus,  348 

humilis,  348 

macrochirus,  348 

megalotis,  347 

miniatus,  346 

pallidus,  349 
Leptocephalidae,  81 
Leptocephalus  caudilimbatus,  81 

conger,  81 
Leptops,  32,  33 

olivaris,  32 

lepturus,  Trichiurus,  290 
lesueuri,  Moxostoma,  61 
lethostigmus,  Paralichthys,  527 
leuciscus,  Brachydeuterus,  432 
Leuciscus  lineatus,  70 
leucosteus,  Calamus,  440 
lewisi,  Salmo,  179 
Ligula  catostomi,  52 
Limanda  aspera,  528 

ferruginea,  528 
limi,  Umbra,  xxxv 
Limnea,  n 
lineatus,  Gerres,  449 

Leuciscus,  70 

Roccus,  373 
Liopsetta  glacialis,  530 

putnami,  530 
liorus,  Chasmistes,  54 
Lisita,  255 
Little  Anchovy,  114 

Halibut,    522 

Pickerel,  23/;. 


Little  Redfish,  157 

Salmon,  170 

Yellow  Cat,  34 
Little-head  Porgy,  439 
Little-mouth  Porgy,  440 
littoralis,  Menticirrhus,  465 
lividus,  Ameiurus,  25 
Liza,  87,  251,  254 

Blanca,  254 

Ojo  de  Perdriz,  255 
Lobotes  pacificus,  400 

surinamensis,  400 
Lobotidas,  400 
Lodde,  226 
Longe,  204 

Long-eared  Sunfish,  347 
Long-finned  Charr,  212 
Long-headed     Trout     of     Crescent 
Lake,  183 

Long-nosed  Sucker,  49 
Lookdown,  311 

Lopholatilus  chamaeleonticeps,  504 
Lophopsetta  maculata,  532 
lorito,  Sparisoma,  481 
Loro  Colorado,  480 

Verde,  480 
Lost  Salmon,  150 
lucidus,  Argyrosomus,  137 
lucius,  Esox,  236 

Ptychocheilus,  69 
lugubris,  Carangus,  307 
luna,  Lampris,  326 
Luna,  Pez,  492 
Lune,  Poisson,  326 
lutescens,  Kyphosus,  452 
Lutianidae,  403 
Lutianus,  405 

analis,  412 

apodus,  409 

aratus,  415 

argentiventris,  409 

aya,  410 

buccanella,  409 

Colorado,  413 

cyanopterus,  407 

griseus,  407 

guttatus,  413 

jocu,  408 

jordani,  407 

mahogoni,  415 

novemfasciatus,  407 

synagris,  414 

viridis,  406 

vivanus,  410 
luxatus,  Deltistes,  57 
Lyopsetta,  exilis,  524 
Lythrulon,  429 

flaviguttatum,  429 

opalescens,  429 


559 


Inde: 


macarellus,  Decapterus,  302 
macdonaldi,  Salmo,  188 
Machete,  290 
mackenzii,  Stenodus,  142 
Mackerel,  Atka,  499 

Chub,  276 

Common,  273 

Horse,  279 
.     Monterey  Spanish,  284 

Spanish,  285 

Tinker,  27 
Mackerels,  The,  272 

Frigate,  276 

True,  273 

Spanish,  283 
Mackinaw  Trout,  203 
macracanthus,  Pomadasis,  433 
macrocephalus,  Gadus,  515 
macrocheilus,  Catostomus,  50 
macrochirus,  Lepomis,  348 
macrolepidota,  Anchovia,  114 
macropterus,  Centrarchus,  337 
macrostomum,  Haemulon,  423 
maculata,  Lophopsetta,  532 
maculatofasciatus,  Paralabrax,  396 
maculatus,  Scomberomorus,  285 

Upeneus,  270 
Mademoiselles,  460 
Mad  Toms,  34 
Mahogany  Snapper,  415 
mahogoni,  Lutianus,  415 
makua.  Ranzania,  494 
maliger,  Sebastodes,  497 
Mallotus  villosus,  226 
malma,  Salvelinus,  210 
Mangrove  Snapper,  407 
Margaret,  Bastard,  424 
Margaret  Grunt,  422 
Margate-fish,  422 
marginatus,  Carangus,  306 
Marian,  267 

mariana,   Flammeo,  267 
Mariggle,  John,  87 
marinus,  Sebastes,  495 

Tylosurus,  241 
Mariposas,  326 
Market-fish,  423 
Mars'h  Bass,  358 
Marston  Trout,  218 
marstoni,  Salvelinus,  218 
martinicus,  Upeneus,  271 
Masamacush,  204 
masoni,  Salmo,  197 
Masooka,  463 
masou,  Oncorhynchus,  150 
Matajuelo  Real,  87 
Mattowacca,  102 
maxima,  Psetta,  532 
maximus,  Lachnolaimus,  478 


May  Sucker,  65 

McCloud  River  Rainbow  Trout,  i< 

McKay's  Sunfish,  351 

media,  Palometa,  329 

Medialuna  californiensis,  453 

Medicos,  486 

mediocris,  Pomolobus,  102 

medirostris,  Acipenser,  7 

medusicola,  Carangus,  307 

megalotis,  Lepomis,  347 

melampygus,  Carangus,  307 

Melanogrammus  seglefinus,  516 

melanops,  Minytrema,  59 

melanostictus,  Psettichthys,  525 

Melantho,  n 

melanurum,  Haemulon,  425 

melas,  Ameiurus,  30 

Menhaden,  109 

Menidia,  249 

Menominee  Whitefish,  122 

Menticirrhus,  464 

americanus,  465 

elongatus,  465 

littoralis,  465 

saxatilis,  465 

undulatus,  465 
meridionalis,  Ictalurus,  15,  23 

Ictiobus,  41 
Merlucciidse,  507 
Merluccius,  507 

bilinearis,  507 

merluccius,  507 

productus,  507 
merluccius,  Merluccius,  507 
Mero,  383,  385 

Cabrilla,  384 

de  lo  Alto,  386 
Meron,  383 

mesogaster,  Parexocoetus,  243 
Mexican  Mullet,  61 

Sierra,  286 

Snapper,  410 
mexicanus,  Gerres,  449 
Michigan  Grayling,  222 
Microgadus,  511 

proximus,  512 

tomcod,  511 

microlepis,  Mycteroperca,  392 
Micropogon  undulatus,  463 
Micropterus  dolomieu,  355 

salmoides,  357 
Milk-fishes,  94 
miniatus,  Lepomis,  346 

Sebastodes,  497 
minima,  Abeona,  470 
Minnow,  Cone-head,  72 
Minnows,  67 

Bait,  xxxv 
Minytrema  melanops,  59 


560 


Index 


mirabilis,  Clupea,  99 
Mishcuppanog,  438 
Mississippi  Cat,  17 
Missouri  Sucker,  44 
mitchilli,  Anchovia,  114 
Mojarra,  446 

Cantilena,  446 

China,  449 

del  Rey,  446 

Dorada,  308 

Prieta,  425 
Moj  arras,  445 
Mojarritas,  445 
Mola  mola,  492 
mola,  Mola,  492 
Molidse,  492 
Mongrel  Buffalo,  40 
monopterygius,  Pleurogrammus,  499 
Montana  Grayling,  223 
montanus,  Thymallus,  223 
Monterey  Halibut,  526 
monticola,  Agonostomus,  256 
Moogadee,  53 
Mooneye,  18,  92 

Cisco,  136 

Southern,  93 
Mooneyes,  90 
Moonfish,  326 
Moon-fishes,  309 

Silvery,  311 
Mora,  Cabra,  383 
Morays,  82 
mordax,  Engraulis,  115 

Gymnothorax,  83 

Osmerus,  229 

moringa,  Gymnothorax,  83 
morio,  Epinephelus,  385 
Morone,  376 

americana,  377 

interrupta,  376 
Moss  Bass,  358 
Mossbunker,  109 
Mountain  sucker,  45 
Moxostoma,  60 

album,  61 

anisurum,  62 

aureolum,  61,  63 

austrinum,  61 

breviceps,  61 

bucco,  61 

cervinum,  5i 

collapsum,  61 

congestum,  61 

conus,  61 

coregonus,  61 

crassilabre,  63 

lesueuri,  61 

pidiense,  61 

poecilurum,  61 


Moxostoma  robustum,  61 

rupiscartes,  61 

thalassinum,  61 
Mud  Cat,  32 

Sunfish,  338,  342 
Mugil,  251 

brasiliensis,  251 

cephalus,  252 

curema,  254 

gaimardianus,  255 

hospes,  255 

incilis,  254 

setosus,  255 

thoburni,  254 

trichodon,  255 
Mugilidas,  250 
Muksun,  121 
Mullet,  63 

Blue,  61 

Blueback,  254 

Common,  252 

Galapagos,  254 

Green,  61 

Jumping,  61 

Mexican,  61 

Neuse  River,  61 

Red-eye,  255 

Striped,  252 

Sucking,  61,  63 

Tangipahoa,  61 

Trench,  254 

Utah  Lake,  52 

White,  62,  254 

Yadkin,  61 

Mullets,  The,  250,  251 
Mullets,  Freshwater,  36 
Mullidas,  268 
Mulloides  rathbuni,  269 
Mullus  auratus,  268 

barbatus,  269 

surmuletus,  269 
multiguttatus,  Alphestes,  ; 
Muniama,  447 
Mursenidae,  82 
Muskallunge,  xli,  237 

Chautauqua,  239 
Mutton-fish,  412,  413,  448 
Mycteroperca,  389 

apua,  392 

bonaci,  392 

boulengeri,  391 

bowersi,  394 

calliura,  394 

camelppardalis,  395 

dimidiata,  393 

falcata,  393 

interstitialis,  393 

jordani,  392 

microlepis,  392 


56l 


Index 


Mycteroperca  olfax,  393 

pardalis,  393 

phenax,  394 

rosacea,  393 

ruberrima,  393 

rubra,  393 

tigris,  394 

venadorum,  394 

venenosa,  391 

xanthosticta,  392 

xenarcha,  393 
mykiss,  Salmo,  179 
Mylocheilus  caurinus,  72 
Mylopharodon  conocephalus,  72 
Myripristis  jacobus,  265 

occidentalis,  265 
mystacinus,  Epinephelus,  382 
mystinus,  Sebastodes,  497 

Namaycush,  204 
namaycush,   Cristivomer,  203 
naresi,  Salvelinus  oquassa,  218 
Nassau  Grouper,  384 
natalis,  Ameiurus,  25 
Naucrates  ductor,  298 
nebulifer,  Paralabrax,  396 
nebulosus,  Ameiurus,  16,  26 

Cynoscion,  457 
Needlefishes,  241 
Negre,  385 
Negro,  Barbero,  487 
Negro  Salmon,  150 
nelsonii,  Coregonus,  130 
Nematistiidse,  294 
Nematistius  pectoralis,  294 
nerka,  Oncorhynchus,  155 
Netuma,  15 

Neuse  River  Mullet,  61 
New  England  Hake,  507 
New-light,  334 
nigricans,  Girella,  451 

Istiophprus,  291 
nigripinnis,  Argyrosomus,  139 
nigrita,  Garrupa,  386 
Nissuee  Trout,  201 
nitidus,  Brachydeuterus.  432 
niveatus,  Epinephelus,  384 
nobilis,  Cynoscion,  458 
Northern  Scup,  438 

Sucker,  49 

Whiting,  465 
Norway  Haddock,  495 
Noshee  Trout,  201 
notatus,  Pimephales,  xli 

Tylosurus,  241 
Notropis  atherinoides,  xli 

cornutus,  xxxvi,  xli 

hudsonius,  xli 

whipplii,  xli 


nothus,  Cynoscion,  459 
Noturus,  15,  34 

flavus,  34 
novemfasciatus,  Lutianus,  407 

oblongus,  Paralichthys,  528 
occidentalis,  Catostomus,  50 

Myripristis,  265 
Ocean  Tang,  488 
ocellatus,  Sciaenops,  461 
octogrammus,  Hexagrammos,  501 
octonemus,  Polydactylus,  262 
oculatus,  Etelis,  419 
Ocyurus  chrysurus,  416 
ocyurus,  Centropristes,  397 

Sectator,  453 
cerstedii,  Selene,  311 
ohiensis,  Esox,  239 
Ojanco,  415 
Ojudo,  402 
Okow,  361 
Old  Wife,  314,  481 
olfax,  Mycteroperca,  393 
olidus,  Hypomesus,  231 
Oligoplites  saurus,  297 
olisthostomus,  Gerres,  448 
olivaris,  Leptops,  32 
Oncorhynchus,  143 

gorbuscha,  149 

keta,  150 

kisutch,  154 

masou,  150 

nerka,  155 

tschawytscha,  151 
onitis,  Tautoga,  477 
Opah,  326 

opalescens,  Lythrulon,  429 
Opelousas  Cat,  33 
Open-mouthed   Grunt,  427 
opercularis,  Polydactylus,  262 
Ophidion  elongatus,  502 
Oquassa  Trout,  217 
oquassa,  Salvelinus,  217 
Orange  Rpckfish,  497 
oregonensis,  Ptychocheilus,  68 
Oregon  Sturgeon,  5 
orqueta,  Chloroscombrus,  312 
orthogrammus,  Carangoides,  308 
Orthopristis,  433 

cantharinus,  434 

chalceus,  434 

chrysopterus,  434 

forbesi,  433 

poeyi,  434 

reddingi,  433 

osmeriformis,  Argyrosomus,  131 
Osmerus,  227 

dentex,  230 

mordax,  229 


562 


Index 


Osmerus  mordax  abbotti,  230 
spectrum,  230 

thaleichthys,  228 
Ostichthys  trachypomus,  264 
Ostraciidae,  489 
Ostracion  bicaudalis.  490 

tricornis,  490 

trigonus,  490 

triqueter,  490 
Oswego  Bass,  358 
Otsego  Bass,  123 
Ouananiche,  170 
ouananiche,  Salmo,  170 
Oyster-fish,  47 

Pacific  Salmon,  143 

Smelt,  228 

Sturgeon,  5 
pacificus,  Lobotes,  400 

Thaleichthys,  227 
Paddle-fish,  i 
Paguala,  482 
Pale  Flounder,  531 
pallasii,  Clupea,  99 
pallidus,  Eupomotis,  351 

Lepomis,  349 
paloma,  Trachinotus,  319 
Palometa  media,  329 

palorneta,  329 

simillima,  329 
Palukaluka,  480 
Pampanito,  314 
Pampanos,  296,  313 
panamensis,  Pomadasis,  432 
Pane,  Window,  532 
Pantosteus,  45 

arseopus,  46 

arizonae,  45 

clarki,  46 

delphinus,  46 

generosus,  45 

guzmaniensis,  46 

jordani,  45,  46 

plebius,  46 
Papagallo,  294 
Paper-mouth,  334 
Paralabrax  clathratus,  396 

humeralis,  396 

maculatofasciatus,  396 

nebulifer,  396 
Paralichthys,  526 

albiguttus,  527 

californicus,  526 

dentatus,  526 

lethostigmus,  527 

oblongus,  528 

parallelus,  Centropomus,  369 
pardalis,  Mycteroperca,  393 


Parexoccetus  mesogaster,  243 
Pargo,  412 

Amarilla,  409 

Colorado,  408,  410,  413 

Criollo,  412 

de  lo  Alto,  410 

Guachinango,  410 

Prieto,  407 

Raisero,  404,  415 
Pargos,  405 
parkei,  Salvelinus,  210 
Parr,  163,  167 
parra,  Hsemulon,  424 
Parrot-fish,  Blue,  480 

Dark-green,  481 

Red.  480 

Parrot-Fishes,  480 
paru,  Peprilus,  329 

Pomacanthus,  484 
parvipinnis,  Cynoscion,  460 
parvus,  Upeneus,  271 
Patap,  449 

paucispinis,  Sebastodes,  497 
Paugy,  437 
Pea-lip  Sucker,  66 
Pearl,  163 
pectoralis,  Dallia,  232 

Nematistius,  294 
Pedee  Sucker,  61 
pelamis,  Gymnosarda,  278 
penna,  Calamus,  440 
Peprilus  paru,  329 
Perca  flavescens,  128,  365 
Perch,  468 

American,  366 

Black,  472 

Blue,  472,  477 

Chinquapin,  334 

Gray,  468 

Raccoon,  366 

Red,  366,  395 

Ringed,  365 

River,  364 

Sacramento,  341 

Speckled,  334 

Striped,  366 

Viviparous,  471 

White,  468,  471,  473,  477 

Yellow,  365 
Perches,  The,  360 
Percidse,  360 
Percopsidse,  247 
Percopsis  guttatus,  247 
Permit,  Indian  River,  315 
perrico,  Pseudoscarus,  481 
Perro  Perro,  478 
personatus,  Ammodytes,  263 
peruvianus,  Gerres,  448 
Pescado  Colorado,  461 


563 


Index 


Petenia  splendida,  475 
Petite  Gueule,  446 
Petos,  The,  288 
Petrometopon  cruentatus,  380 
Pez  de  Gallo,  294 

Luna,  492 

de  Pluma,  439 
Phanerodon  atripes,  472 

furcatus,  472 

phenax,  Mycteroperca,  394 
philadelphicus,  Centropristes,  398 
Physa,  ii 
Picconou,  61 
Pickerel,  236,  361 

Banded,  234 

Common  Eastern,  235 

Little,  234 
Picuda,  259 

picudilla,  Sphyraena,  260 
pidiense,  Moxostoma,  61 
Pieded  Cat,  33 
Pigfish,  434,  435,  440 
Pigfishes,  433 
Pike,  Blue,  362 

Common,  236 

Great,  238 

Great  Lakes,  236 

Great  Northern,  240 

Grass,  234 

Green,  235,  361 

Sacramento,  69 

Salmon,  239 

Wall-eyed,  361 

Yellow,  361 
Pike-perch,  361 
Pike-Perches,  American,  360 
Pikes,  233 

pilchardi,  Joturus,  257 
pilchardus,  Clupanodon,  101 
Pilotfish,  122 
Pilot,  Shark,  300 
Pimelodella,  15 
Pimelodus,  15 

Pimelometopon  pulcher,  479 
Pimephales  notatus,  xli 
Pinfish,  444 
Pink  Salmon,  150 
pinniger,  Sebastodes,  497 
Pinta,  Cabrilla,  382 
Pintado.  286 
Piojo,  87 

Placopharynx  duquesnii,  64 
Plaice,  526 
Planorbis,  II 
Plate-fish,  490 

platessoides,  Hippoglossoides,  525 
Platichthys  stellatus,  531 
platorynchus,  Scaphirhynchus,  13 
Platte  River  Sucker,  48 


platycephalus,  Ameiurus,  31 
plebius,  Pantosteus,  46 
Plectrypops  retrospinis,  267 
pleuriticus,  Salmo,  186 
Pleurogrammus  monopterygius,  499 
Pleuronectidse,  520 
Pluma,  439 
plumieri,  Gerres,  449 

Haemulon,  426 
pocatello,  Catostomus,  53 
precilurum,  Moxostoma,  61 
poeyi,  Orthopristis,  434 
Pogonias  cromis,  466 
Pogy,  109,  180 
Poisson  Bleu,  221 

Lune,  326 

politus,  Seriphus,  455 
Pollachius  virens,  509 
Pollack,  Alaska,  510 

Common,  509 
Pollacks,  509 
Polydactylus  approximans,  261 

octonemus,  262 

opercularis,  262 

virginicus,  261 
Polynemidse,  261 
Polyodon  spathula,  I 
Polyodontidae,  i 
Pomacanthus  arcuatus,  484 

paru,  484 

zonipectus,  484 
Pomadasis,  433 

andrei,  433 

bayanus,  433 

branicki,  433 

crocro,  433 

macracanthus,  433 

panamensis,  432 

productus,  433 

ramosus,  433 
Pomatomidae,  320 
Pomatomus  saltatrix,  320 
Pomfrets,  327 
Pomolobus,  101 

sestivalis,  104 

chrysochloris,  101 

mediocris,  102 

pseudoharengus,  103 
pomotis,  Acantharchus,  338 
Pomoxis  annularis,  334 

sparoides,  335 
Pompano,  California,  329 

Common,  317 

Gaff-topsail,  314 

Great,  316 

Irish,  448 

Round,  315 

Silvery,  317 
Pompanos,  296,  313 


564 


Index 


Pompon,  431 
Pond  Smelt,  231 
Porgee,  473.  482 
Porgies,  436,  438 
Porgy,  437 

Grass,  440 

Jolt-head,  439 

Little-head,  439 

Little-mouth,  440 

Saucer-eye,  439 

Shad,  440 

Sheepshead,  440 

Southern,  438 

White-boned,  440 
Pork-fish,  431 
Poronotus  triacanthus,  330 
Potomac  Cat,  25 
Pout,  Horned,  26 
pretiosus,   Hypomesus,  231 

Ruvettus,  289 
Priacanthidse,  401 
Priacanthus  arenatus,  401 

cruentatus,  402 
pricei,  Ameiurus,  16 
Prieta,  Mojarra,  425 
Prieto,  Ronco,  424 
probatocephalus,  Archosargus,  442 
proboscideus,  Chsenomugil,  256 
productus,  Merluccius,  507 

Pomadasis,  433 

prognathus,  Argyrosomus,  138 
prometheus,  Promethichthys,  289 
Promethichthys  prometheus,  289 
Promicrops  itaiara,  387 
proridens,  Calamus,  439 
proximus,  Microgadus,  512 
Psephurus  gladius,  I 
Psetta  maxima,  532 
Psettichthys  melanostictus,  525 
pseudogula,  Eucinostomus,  446 
pseudoharengus,  Pomolobus,  103 
pseudohispanicus,  Clupanodon,  100 
Pseudopleuronectes  americanus,  528 
Pseudoscarus  guacamaia,  481 

perrico,  481 
Ptychocheilus  lucius,  69 

oregonensis,  68 
pulcher,  Pimelometopon,  479 
Pumpkinseed,  330,  353 
punctatus,  Decapterus,  302 

Ictalurus,  21 

pusillus,  Argyrosomus,  137 
putnami,  Liopsetta,  530 
Pythonichthys,  83 

quadrilateralis,  Coregonus,  122 
Queenfish,  455 
Queriman,  251 
Quia-Quia,  302 


Quillbacks,  36 
Quinnat  Salmon,  151 
Quisutsch,  154 

Rabbit-mouth  Sucker,  66 
Rabbit-fish,  289 
Rabirubia,  416 
Rabula,  83 
Raccoon  Perch,  366 
Rachycentridas,  323 
Rachycentron  canadus,  323 
Raiado,  Ronco,  425 
raii,  Brama,  327 
Rainbow  Herring,  230 

Trout,  195 

ramosus,  Pomadasis,  433 
Ranzania  makua,  494 

truncata,  494 

raphidoma,  Tylosurus,  241 
Rasher,  497 

rathbuni,  Mulloides,  269 
Raton,  261 

Razor-back  Sucker,  58 
Real,  Matajuelo,  87 
Red  Goatfish,  270 

Grouper,  385 

Hind,  384 

Parrot-fish,  480 

Perch,  366,  495 

Rockfish,  497 

Rock-trout,  502 

Salmon,  156 

Snapper,  410 
Red-breasted  Bream,  346 
reddingi,  Orthopristis,  433 
Red-drum,  462 
Redeye,  339 
Red-eye  Mullet,  255 
Redfin,  xxxvi,  xli,  63 

Sucker,  63 
Redfish,  156,  495,  461 

Bull,  461 

California,  479 

Little,  157 

Red-eared  Sunfish,  354 
Red-mouthed  Buffalo,  40 
Red-mouth  Grunt,  428 
Red-spotted  Sunfish,  348 
Red-tailed  Snapper,  414 
Redhorses,  36 
Redhorse,  Common,  63 

Short-headed,  64 

Texas,  61 
regalis,  Cynoscion,  456 

Scomberomorus,  286 
Reinhardtius  hippoglossoides,  522 
reticulatus,  Cynoscion,  459 

Esox,  235 
retrospinis,   Plectrypops,  267 


565 


Index 


Rhacochilus  toxotes,  473 
Rhamdia,  15 

rhodopus,  Trachinotus,  314 
rhodoterus,  Holconotus,  472 
rhombeus,  Gerres,  448 
rhomboides,  Lagodon,  440 

Trachinotus,  315 
Rhomboplites  aurorubens,  417 
richardsonii,  Coregonus,  121 
Richardson's  Whitefish,  121 
rimator,  Bathystoma,  428 
Ringed  Perch,  365 
Rio  Grande  Trout,  185 
River  Chub,  71 

Perch,  364 
Roach,  463 
Robalos,  368 

roberti,  Hyporhamphus,  242 
Robin,  Round,  302 
robustum,  Moxostoma,  61 
Roccus,  372 

chrysops,  372 

lineatus,  373 
Rock,  373 

Basses,  338 

Sea-bass,  398 

Shell-fish,  490 
Rock-bass,  396 
Rock-hind,  383,  394 
Rock-trout,  501 

Red,  502 
Rockfish,  373,  391,  394 

Black,  497 

Orange,  497 

Red,  497 

Yellow-backed,  497 

Yellowtail,  497 
Rock-Fishes,  495 

Rocky  Mountain  Whitefish,  119,  120 
Rollers,  Sand,  247 
Ronco,  424 
Ronco  Amarillo,  426 

Blanco,  424,  433 

Carbonero,  425 

Prieto,  424 

Raiado,  425 
Roncos,  421 

rosacea,  Mycteroperca,  393 
rosaceus,  Zalembia,  471 
Rosefish,  495 
rostratus,  Catostomus,  46 
Rough-Dab,  525 
Round  Pampano,  315 

Robin,  302 

Sunfish,  337 

Whitefish,  22 
ruber,  Carangus,  305 
ruberrima,  Mycteroperca,  393 
ruberrimus,  Sebastodes,  497 


rubicundus,  Acipenser,  n 
rubra,  Mycteroperca,  393 
rubrovinctus,  Sebastodes,  497 
rubrum,  Chorististium,  377 
Rudder-fish,  300,  453 
Rudder-Fishes,  450 
rufus,  Centropristes,  398 

Holocentrus  ascensionis,  266 
Runner,  302,  306 
rupestris,  Ambloplites,  339 
rupiscartes,  Moxostoma,  61 
Russian  Cat,  33 
Rusty  Dab,  528 
Rutilus,  71 

Ruvettus  pretiosus,  289 
Ryba,  Bielaya,  154 

Krasnaya,  156 

Sabalo,'  Savalle,  85 
Sable,  290 
Sac-a-lait,  334 
Sacramento  Perch,  341 

Pike,  69 

Salmon,  151 

Sturgeon,  5 

Sucker,  50 

Saibling,  American,  213 
Sailfishes,  291 

Sailor's-Choice,  424,  435,  440 
salar,  Salmo,  163 
Salema,  442,  452 
Salmo,  159 

agua-bonita,  201 

bathoecetor,  183 

beardsleei,  193 

bouvieri,  187 

clarkii,  176 

crescentis,  191 

declivifrons,  184 

gairdneri,  190 

gibbsii,  179 

henshawi,  180 

irideus,  195 

irideus  gilberti,  201 

irideus  stonei,  201 

jordani,  182 

kamlpops,  192 

lewisi,  179 

macdonaldi,  188 

masoni,  197 

mykiss,  179 

ouananiche,  170 

pleuriticus,  186 

salar,  163 

sebago,  168 

shasta,  198 

spilurus,  185 

stomias,  188 

tahoensis,  181 


666 


Index 


Salmo  virginalis,  182 
salmoides,  Micropterus,  357 
Salmon,  xlix,  116,  159 
Salmon,  Atlantic,  163 

Blueback,  155 

Calico,  151 

Chinook,  151 

Columbia  River,  151 

Dog,  150 

Hoopid,  154 

Humpback,  149 

Jack,  361 

Kennedy's,  156 

King,  151 

Negro,  150 

Landlocked,  169 

Lekai,  151 

Little,  170 

Lost,  150 

Pacific,  143 

Pink,  150 

Quinnat,  151 

Red,  156 

Sacramento,  151 

Schoodic,  169 

Sebago,  168 

Silver,  154 

Sockeye,  155 

White,  69 
Salmon  Pike,  239 

Salmon  Trout  of  Lake  Southerland, 

184 
Salmonete,  270 

Amarilla,  271 
Salmonidae,  116 
saltatrix,  Pomatomus,  320 
Salvelinus,  206 

agassizii,  210 

alipes,  212 

arcturus,  213 

aureolus,  213 

fontinalis,  207 

malma,  210 

marstoni,  218 

naresi,  218 

oquassa,  217 

parkei,  210 

stagnalis,  212 
Sama,  412 
Sand-Dab,  525 
Sand-Eel,  263 
Sand  Launces,  263 
Sand-Pike,  363 

Rollers,  246 

Whiting,  465 
San  Pedro-fish,  326 
sapidissima,  Alosa,  105 
Saprolegnia,  xl 
Sarda,  282 


Sarda  chilensis,  283 

sarda,  283 
sarda,  Sarda,  283 
Sardina  Bocona,  114 
Sardine,  California,  100 

Spanish,  100 
Sardines,  True,  99 
Saucer-eye  Porgy,  438 

Sauger,  363 
Sau-qui,  156 
Saurel,  302 
Sauries,  The,  246 
saurus,  Elops,  86 

Oligoplites,  298 

Scombresox,  246 
Saury,  246 
Savanilla,  85 
Savola,  290 
Sawbelly,  101 
Sawkeye,  156 

saxatilis,  Menticirrhus,  465 
Scabbard-fish,  290 
Scad,  Big-eyed,  303 
Scamp,  394 

Scaphirhynchus  platorynchus,  13 
Scaridae,  480 
Scarlet  Sunfish,  346 
Scarus  vetula,  481 
Schilbeodes,  15,  34,  35 
Schoodic  Salmon,  169 
Schoolmaster,  409 
Schuylkill  Cat,  26 
Sciadeichthys,  15 
Sciaenidae,  454 
Sciaenops  ocellatus,  461 
sciurus,  Haemulon,  426 
Scomber,  273 

japonicus,  276 

scombrus,  273 
Scomberomorus,  283 

cavalla,  287 

concolor,  284 

maculatus,  285 

regalis,  286 

sierra,  286 
Scombresocidae,  246 
Scombresox  saurus,  246 
Scombridae,  272 
scombrus,  Scomber,  273 
Scorpaenidae,  495 
scudderi,  Heemulon,  425 
Scups,  437 
Scup,  Common,  437 

Northern,  438 
Scuppaug,  437 
Sea- Bass,  460,  470 

Black,  377,  397 

California  White,  458 
Sea  Drums.  466 


567 


Index 


Sea-mink,  465 
Sea-trout,  456 

Spotted,  457 
Sebago  Salmon,  168 
sebago,  Salmp,  168 
Sebastes  marinus,  495 
Sebastodes  flavidus,  497 

maliger,  497 

miniatus,  497 

mystinus,  497 

paucispinis,  497 

pinniger,  497 

ruberrimus,  497 

rubrovinctus,  497 
Sectator  ocyurus,  453 
sectatrix,  Kyphosus,  453 
Selenaspis,  15 
Selene  cerstedii,  311 

vomer,  311 
selenops,  Hiodon,  93 
Semotilus  atromaculatus,  xli,  75 

corporalis,  xli 
Sergeant-fish,  323 
Sergeant-Fishes,  323 
Seriola,  299 

dorsalis,  300 

dumerili,  301 

lalandi,  301 

zonata,  300 
Seriphus  politus,  455 
Serranidse,  370 
Sesi  de  lo  Alto,  409 
setipinnis,  Vomer,  310 
setosus,  Mugil,  255 
sexfasciatum,  Hsemulon,  422 
Shad,  334 

Alabama,   108 

American,  105 

Chateaugay,  122 

Common,  105 

Hickory,  18,  102 

Tailor,  102 
Shad  Porgy,  440 
Shadwaiter,  122 
Shark  Pilot,  300 
shasta,  Salmo,  198 
Sheepshead,  330,  468 

Common,  442 
Sheepshead  Porgy,  440 
Sheepsheads,  441 
Shell  Cracker,  352 
Shell-fish,  Rock,  490 
Shiner,  xli 

Short-headed  Redhorse,  64 
Short-nosed  Sturgeon,  12 
Short-nosed  Sucker,  55 
Shovel-nosed  Sturgeon,  14 
sicculus,  Labidesthes,  xxxv,  249 
Sierra,  286 


sierra,  Scomberomorus,  286 
signifer,  Thymallus,  221 
Silk  Snapper,  410 
Siluridas,  15 
Silver-  Hake,  507 

Jenny,  446 

King,  85 

Salmon,  154 

Trout,  179 

Trout  of  Lake  Tahoe,  181 

Whiting,  465 
Silverfin,  xli 
Sliver-fish,  290 
Silverside,  Common,  xli 

Lake,  249 

Silversides,  The,  248 
Silvery  Anchovies,  112 

Moon-fishes,  311 

Pompano,  317 
simillima,  Palometa,  329 
sisco,  Argyrosomus,  134 
Siscowet,  205 
siscowet,  Cristivomer,  205 
Sisi,  431 
Skil,  498 
Skil-Fishes,  498 
Skipjack,  249 

Fresh-water,  101 
Skipper,  246 
Skowitz,  154 
Slough  Bass,  358 
Small-mouthed  Black  Bass,  355 

Buffalo,  40 
Smelt,  American,  229 

Pacific,  228 

Pond,  231 

Smelt  of  the  New  York  Lakes,  131 
Smelts,  225,  227 

Surf,  230 
Smolt,  163 
Snapper,  495 

Black-fin,  409 

Dog,  408 

Gray,  407 

Lane.  414 

Mahogany,  415 

Mangrove,  407 

Mexican,  410 

Red,  410    ' 

Red-tailed,  414 

Silk,  410 
Snappers,  403 
Snipe,  180 
Snook,  368 
Snowy  Grouper,  384 
Sockeye,  156 

Salmon,  155 
Soho,  326 
solandri,  Acanthocybium,  288 


568 


Index 


Sole,  524 

sordidus,  Verilus,  419 

Southern  Flounder,  527 

Mooneye,  93 

Porgy,  438 
Spade-Fishes,  482 
Spanish  Flag,  497 

Mackerel,  285 

Sardine,  100 
Sparada,  471 
Sparidse,  436 
Sparisoma  abildgaardi,  480 

chrysopterum,  480 

lorito,  481 

viride,  481 

sparoides,   Pomoxis,  335 
spathula,  Polyodon,  i 
Spearfish,  292 
speciosus,  Caranx,  308 
Speckled  Hind,  385 

Perch,  334 

Trout,  207 

Trout  of  Crescent  Lake,  191 
spectrum,  Osmerus  mordax,  230 
Sphyrsena  argentea,  260 

barracuda,  259 

borealis,  260 

ensis,  259 

guachancho,  259 

picudilla,  260 

sphyraena,  260 
Sphyrsenidae,  258 
Spikefish,  291 
spilurus,  Salmo,  185 
Spina,  Chopa,  440 
splendida,  Petenia,  475 
Split-mouth  Sucker,  66 
Spoon-bill  Cat,  i 
Spot,  444,  463 
Spotted  Cabrilla,  396 

Cat,  21 

Sea-trout,  457 

Sucker,  59 

Trout  of  Lake  Southerland,  182 

Weakfish,  457 
Squawfish,  68 
Squeteague,  456 
Squirrel-fishes,  264,  265 
stagnalis,  Salvelinus,  212 
Starfish,  330 
Starry  Flounder,  531 
Steelhead  Trout,  190 
steindachneri,  Hasmulon,  425 
stellatus,  Platichthys,  531 
stelleri,  Hexagrammos,  502 
Stenodus  mackenzii,  142 
Stenotomus,  437 

aculeatus,  438 

chrysops,  437 


Stereolepis  gigas,  377 
stilbe,  Zalocys,  319 
Stit-tse,  192 
Stizostedion  canadense,  363 

vitreum,  361 
stomias,  Atheresthes,  522 

Chasmistes,  56 

Salmo,  188 
Stone  Cat,  34 
stonei,  Salmo  irideus,  201 
Stone's  Trout,  201 
storerianus,  Hybopsis,  xli 
Storer's  Chub,  xli 
Straw  Bass,  357 
Strawberry  Bass,  336 
striatum,  Bathystoma,  429 
striatus,  Centropristes,  397 

Epinephelus,  384 
Striped  Anchovy,  113 

Bass,  372 

Grunt,  423 

Mullet,  252 

Perch,  366 

Surf-fish,  472 
Stromateidse,  328 
Sturgeon,  Columbia  River,  5 

Common,  8 

Green,  7 

Lake,  n 

Oregon,  5 

Pacific,  5 

Sacramento,  5 

Short-nosed,  12 

Shovel-nosed,  14 

White,  5 
Sturgeons,  4 
sturio,  Acipenser,  8 
sucetta,  Erimyzon,  59 
Sucker,  Big-jawed,  64 

Blue-headed,  46 

Carp,  41,  43 

Chub,  59 

Columbia  River,  50 

Common,  51 

Fine-scaled,  46 

Flannel-mouth,  47 

Gourd-seed,  44 

Hare-lip,  65 

Hump-back,  58 

June,  52 

Klamath  Lake,  55 

Large-scaled,  63 

Long-nosed,  49 

May,  65 

Missouri,  44 

Mountain,  45 

Northern,  49 

Pea-lip,  65 

Peedee,  61 


569 


Index 


Sucker,  Platte  River,  48 

Rabbit-mouth,  65 

Razor-back,  58 

Redfin,  63 

Sacramento,  50 

Short-nosed,  55 

Split-mouth,  65 

Spotted,  59 

Sweet,  44 

Thick-cheeked,  61 

White,  51,  63 

White-nosed,  62 

Yellow,  50 
Suckers,  36 
Suckerel,  44 
Sucking  Mullet,  61,  63 
Summer  Flounder,  526 

Herring,  104 
Sunapee  Trout,  213 
Sunfish,  308,  492 

Blue,  349 

Blue-spotted,  343 

Common,  353,  344 

Copper-nosed,  349 

Green,  343 

Long-eared,  347 

McKay's,  351 

Mud,  338,  342 

Red-eared,  354 

Red-spotted,  348 

Round,  337 

Scarlet,  346 
Sunfishes,  332 

superciliosus,  Hexagrammos,  502 
Surf-fish,  Striped,  472 

Wall-eyed,  471 

White,  472 
Surf-fishes,  469 
Surf  Smelts,  230 

Whiting,  465 
Surgeon-fish,  486 
surinamensis,    Anisotremus,    431 

Lobotes,  400 
Surmullets,  The,  268 
surmulletus,  Mullus,  269 
Sweet  Sucker,  44 
Swordfishes,  293 
symmetricus,  Apomotis,  344 

Trachurus,  302 
synagris,  Lutianus,  414 
syrok,  Coregonus,  130 

Tachysurus,  15 
Taeniotoca  lateralis,  472 
tahoensis,  Salmo,  181 
Tailor  Herring,  102 

Shad,  102 

Tally-wag,  397          . 
Tang,  Blue,  486 


Tang,  Ocean,  488 
Tangs,  486 

Tangipahoa  Mullet,  61 
Tarpon  atlanticus,  85 
Tarpons,  84 
Tarpum,  85 
Tautog,  477 
Tautoga    onitis,  477 
Tautogofabrus  adspersus,  476 
Tchaviche,  151 
Ten-pounder,  87 
tergisus,  Hiodon,  92,  93 
Tetrapturus  amplus,  292 

imperator,  292 
.Teuthididas,  486 
Teuthis  bahianus,  488 

caeruleus,  486 
•    crestonis,  487 

hepatus,  487 
Texas  Redhorse,  61 
thalassinum,  Moxostoma,  61 
Thaleichthys,  226 

pacificus,  227 

thaleichthys,  Osmerus,  228 
Theragra  chalcogrammus,  510 

fucensis,  510 

Thick-cheeked  Sucker,  61 
thoburni,  Mugil,  254 
thompsonii,  Carpiodes,  42 
Thread-fish,   308 
Threadfishes,  The,  261 
Thunder-pumper,  468 
Thunnus  thynnus,  279 
Thymallidae,  220 
Thymallus,  220 

montanus,  223 

signifer,  122 

tricolor,  222 
thynnus,  Thunnus,  279 
tigris,  Mycteroperca,  394 
Tilefishes,  504 
Tinker  Mackerel,  276 
Tin-mouth,  334 
Togue,  204 

Tomcod,  California,  512 
tomcod,  Microgadus,  511 
Tomcods,  511 
Toms,  Mad,  34 
Tomtate,  428 
Toothed  Herring,  91 
Toro,  401 
Totuava,  460 

toxotes,  Rachocheilus,  473 
Trachinotus,  313 

argenteus,  317 

carolinus,  317 

cayennensis,  319 

culveri,  316 

falcatus,  315 


570 


Trachinotus  goodei,  316 

glaucus,  314 

kennedyi,  316 

paloma,  319 

rhodopus,  314 

rhomboides.  315 

Trachurops   crumenophthalma,  303 
Trachurus  trachurus,  303 

symmetricus,  302 
trachurus,  Trachurus,  303 
trachypomus,  Ostichthys,  264 
transmontana,   Columbia,  247 
transmontanus,  Acipenser,  5 
traski,  Hysterocarpus,  4/0 
Trench  Mullet,  254 
triacanthus,  Poronotus,  330 
Trichiuridae,  290 
Trichiurus  lepturus,  290 
trichodon,  Mugil,  255 
tricolor,  Holacanthus,  484 

Thymallus,  222 
tricornis,  Ostracion,  490 
trigonus,  Ostracion,  490 
Tripletails,  400 
triqueter,  Ostracion,  490 
Trout,  Blueback,  217 

Blueback,  of  Crescent  Lake,  193 

Brook,  207 

Colorado  River,  186 

Cut-throat,  176 

Dolly  Varden,  210 

Dublin    Pond,    210 

Golden,  of  Mount  Whitney,  201 

Great  Lakes,  203 

Green,  358 

Green-back,  188 

Jordan's,  182 

Kamloops,  192 

Kern  River,  201 

Lac  de  Marbre.  218 

Lake  Tahoe,  180 

Long-headed,    of    Crescent    Lake, 

183 

Mackinaw,  203 

McCloud  River  Rainbow,  198 

Nissuee,  201 

Noshee,  201 

Oquassa,  217 

Rainbow,  195 

Rio  Grande,  185 

Salmon,  of  Lake  Southerland,  184 

Silver,  179 

Silver,  of  Lake  Tahoe,  181 

Speckled,  207 

Speckled,  of  Crescent  Lake,  191 

Spotted,  of  Lake  Southerland,  182 

Steelhead,  190 

Stone's,  201 

Sunapee,  213 


Trout,  Truckee,  180 

Utah,  182 

Waha  Lake,  187 

Western  Oregon  Brook,  197 

Yellow-fan,  188 

Yellowstone,  179 
Truckee  Trout,  180 
True  Codfishes,  512 

Herrings,  96 

Sardines,  99 
truncata,  Ranzania,  494 
Trunk-fish,  Common,  490 
Trunk  Fishes,  489 
Tschawytscha,  151 
tschawytscha,  Oncorhynchus,  151 
Tswam,  56 
Tullibee,  140 

tullibee,  Argyrosomus,  140 
tumidus,  Carpiodes,  42 
Tuna,  279 
Tunnies,  The  Great,  278 

The  Little,  277 
Tunny,  279 
Turbot,  European,  532 

Greenland,  522 
Tyee,  151 
Tylosurus  marinus,  241 

notatus,  241 

raphidoma,  241 
tyrannus,  Brevoortia,  109 

Uhuula,  480 
Ulasma  lefroyi,  447 
Umbra  limi,  xxxv 
undecimalis,  Centropomus,  368 
undulatus,  Menticirrhus,  465 

Micropogon,  463 
unicolor,  Hypoplectrus,  395 
unimaculatus,  Archosargus,   441 
Upeneus,  270 

dentatus,  271 

maculatus,  270 

martinicus,  271 

parvus,  271 
Uroconger,  81 
Uropterygius,  83 
urus,  Ictiobus,  40 
Utah  Lake  Chub,  70 

Mullet,  52 
Utah  Trout,  182 

Valvata,  n 
velifer,  Carpiodes,  43 
venadorum,  Mycteroperca,  394 
venenosa,  Mycteroperca,  391 
Verde,  Cotoro,  480 

Lpro,  480 

Verilus  sordidus,  419 
vermiculatus,  Esox,  234 


571 


Index 


vetula,  Scarus,  481 

Vieja,  481 

villosus,  Mallotus,  226 

vinctus,  Carangus,  305 

virens,  Pollachius,  509 

virginalis,  Salmo,  182 

virginicus,  Anisotremus,  432 

Polydactylus,  261 
viride,  Sparisoma,  481 
yiridis,  Centropomus,  368 

Lutianus,  406 
vitreum,  Stizostedion,  361 
viyanus,  Lutianus,  410 
Viviparous  Perch,  471 
Voilier,  291 
Volador,  Agula,  291 
Vomer  dorsalis,  309 

gabonensis,  310 

setipinnis,  310 
vomer,  Selene,  311 
vulgaris,  Ameiurus,  26 
vulpes,  Albula,  88 

Waha  Lake  Trout,  187 
Wahoo,  288 
Walla,  156 
Wall-eyed  Pike,  361 

Surf-fish,  471 
Wananishe,  170 
Warmouth,  342 
Weakfish,  Bastard,  459 

Common,  456 

Spotted,  457 
Weakfishes,  455 
Welchman,  358 
Western  Anchovy,  113 

Oregon  Brook  Trout,  197 
whipplii,  Notropis,  xli 
White  Bass,  372 

Buffalo,  40 

Cat,  25 

Croaker,  455 

Grunt,  426,  429,  430 

Lake  Bass,  372 

Mullet,  61,  254 

Perch,  377,  468,  471,  473 

Perches,  376 

Salmon,  69 

Sturgeon,  5,  7 

Sucker,  51,  63 

Surf-fish,  472 
White-boned  Porgy,  440 
White-nosed  Sucker,  62 
Whitefish,  73,  116 

Bissell's,  142 

Blackfin,  139 

Bloater,  137 

Broad,  121 


Whitefish,  Common,  123 

Coulter's,  119 

Delta,  121 

Highback,  123 

Humpback,  130 

Labrador,  123 

Lauretta,  137 

Least,  137 

Menominee,  122 

Richardson's,  121 

Rocky  Mountain,  119 

Round,  122 

Williamson's,  120 
Whitefishes,  117 
Whiting,  507 

California,  465 

Carolina,  465 

Northern,  465 

Sand,  465 

Silver,  465 

Surf,  465 
Wife,  Old,  314 
williamsoni,  Coregonus,  119 
Williamson's  Whitefish,  120 
Willow  Cat,  22 
Window  Pane,  532 
Winninish,  170 
Winnonish,   170 
Winter  Flounder,  528 
Wrasse  Fishes,  476 

xanthosticta,  Mycteroperca,  392 
xanthurus,  Leiostomus,  462 
xenarcha,  Mycteroperca,  393 
xenodon,  Calotomus,  481 
Xiphias  gladius,  293 
Xiphiidas,  293 
Xurel,  302 

de  Castilla,  312 
Xyrauchen  cypho,  58 
Xystsema  cinereum,  447 

Yadkin  Mullet,  61 
Yellow  Angel,  485 

Bass,  376 

Cat,  25,  33 

Goatfish,  271 

Grunt,  426 

Perch,  365 

Pike,   361 

Sucker,  50 

Yellowbacked  Rockfish,  497 
Yellow-belly,  69 
Yellow-fin  Trout,   188 
Yellow-finned  Grouper,  383,  391 
Yellow-jack,  306 
Yellowstone  Trout,  179 


572 


LIBRAKtf 
>RNIA— BERKELEY 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

BIOLOGY  LIBRARY 

TEL.  NO.  642-2531 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


MAR  -  11972 


••  ' 


,00 


APR2  1979 


Subjf  t  to  Recall 

— Immcgia*."'-' — 


LD  21A-15m-2,'69 
(J6057slO)476 — A-32 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


